Cairo- Riyadh, 28 July 2021- As Hajj season for the year 2021 concludes, WHO’s Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region acknowledges the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the successful implementation of health and safety measures amid COVID-19 pandemic that led to no cases of COVID-19 or other illnesses reported among pilgrims. “This year’s Hajj came at critical time where cases were increasing across the Region and globally, calling for stricter procedures to prevent spread. We welcome all mitigation measures put in place by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to ensure a safe Hajj season without COVID-19 infections reported,” said Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has applied innovative technology procedures to protect pilgrims’ health during this year’s Hajj. Electronic cards – which registered the pilgrim’s contact and all medical details -- were used to provide access to all religious sites, accommodation, and transport, as well as facilitate the job of health authorities to identify crowded areas at all sites. In addition, the Kingdom used electronic robots to prevent physical contact and disperse physical gatherings. Robots were also used to distribute bottled water and to help keep religious sites well sanitized. In addition, the Health Ministry enforced strict physical distancing measures during the transitioning of pilgrims in the two Holy Mosques and the central area in Makkah and Madinah. These measures also were applied in all residential buildings and tents. These extra precautions have entailed limiting the number of pilgrims to 60,000 between 18 to 65 years old with no serious health conditions. The pilgrims were either fully vaccinated, previously recovered from COVID-19, or received one vaccine shot 14 days before Hajj to protect them and avoid any crowding that can contribute to the spread of infection. The decision is based on risk assessment of the pandemic and the evolvement of epidemiology nationally, regionally, and globally. “WHO greatly appreciates the high level of coordination and collaboration that was adopted by all sectors throughout the hajj season, using a collaborative and multi-sectoral approach. The Saudi Ministry of Health and WHO are in continuous dialogue and cooperation on all fronts related to the COVID-19 response,” said Dr Ibrahim El-Ziq, WHO Representative in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For more information, please contact: Dr Ibrahim El-Ziq WHO Representative in Saudi Arabia Mobile: +966500066147 Email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it