Umrah is the non-compulsory pilgrimage that Muslims can undertake at any time of the year. It consists of several steps like Tawaaf and Sai and is a practice that Muslims take up to repent and to strengthen their fate.
After the unprecedented growth of the COVID-19 virus that first originated in Wuhan in December 2019, the Saudi authorities have switched up the regulations for Umrah Packages 2021 so that pilgrims visiting the Holy Mosques have a safe and healthy experience.
In 2020, there was doubt as to whether the Hajj will even happen. This was because, at that time, cases were at an all-time high in every country of the world, with Muslim-majority countries such as Iran fearing the worst as their body count increased.
However, the Saudi authorities opened Hajj for a select-few number of pilgrims, with a strict set of rules that resulted in a smooth Hajj and very few cases of coronavirus cropping up.
After an uncharacteristic closure of Umrah for the latter half of 2020, Saudi authorities finally announced the reopening of Umrah in late November 2020, paving the way for several Umrah Packages for 2021.
However, this opening comes with its own set of rules and the use of quite a few apps, which is why it is important for those hoping to perform the Umrah to have a strong knowledge of all that they may need.
Things You May Need In Umrah 2021
Apart from the obvious things like Ihraam and clothes, there are several other things that pilgrims will need to have access to all the sites of Mecca that are essential for the Umrah to be completed.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has managed to set up a safe and hassle-free system to track the spread of the virus in all those who avail the Umrah Packages 2021.
Some of the essential ones are listed below:
The Tawakkalna app is a mobile application developed by the Saudi Ministry of Health to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. It alerts you when you are close to coronavirus hotspots, lets you enter information so that it reaches the health authorities in case you feel any symptoms, and allows you to move residences if you are in danger of contracting the virus.
This app was launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. It allows its users to request permission to visit the two Holy Mosques for Umrah or prayers so that only a certain number of people enter the Masjid al-Haram and the Masjid an Nabawi at one time. This will prevent the spread of coronavirus that may occur because of overcrowding or rush.
In case a pilgrim feels like they have caught the coronavirus because of their physical symptoms or the places they have frequented, they can book a test at the Tetamman app. Not only does it provide you with the results, but this app also allows you to count your isolation days and have a safe stay in KSA until you have tested negative.
In case of infection by the COVID-19 virus, the Sehhaty app allows you to get prescriptions for medication, request a coronavirus test, and get work leave. It also allows you to book appointments in healthcare facilities in case of other health conditions.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed how we may perform the Umrah and Hajj because of the high risk of infections among the pilgrims. To combat this risk, there are some essentials that one needs to take, which are:
It has been proven by the Saudi government’s handling of Hajj 2020 that it is possible to have a pilgrimage with minimal COVID-19 infections. However, it is better to be safe than sorry.
