Saudi authorities have lifted the social distancing rule for prayers at the holy Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. After the restriction was withdrawn on Sunday, local time, worshippers were seen praying shoulder to shoulder as in normal times. Social distancing and other restrictions had been imposed at the mosque after the coronavirus pandemic began.

Citing AFP, the report says workers removed the markings drawn on the floor to keep worshippers apart.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency said the decision was taken to lift the restrictions and allow worshippers to pray in the mosque as before.

According to AFP, photos and videos on Sunday morning showed worshippers standing in rows shoulder to shoulder. It was the first time such a scene had been seen at the mosque since the pandemic spread widely last year. Before prayers in the Kaaba courtyard, the imam of Masjid al-Haram was heard saying, "Stand and straighten the rows, fill the empty spaces."

Although social distancing has been lifted, the authorities said worshippers must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and wear masks to enter the mosque.

In August, Saudi Arabia announced that it would receive vaccinated foreigners coming to perform Umrah.

Umrah can be performed at any time, while Hajj is performed only once a year, drawing millions of people from around the world to Saudi Arabia. Last year foreigners were barred from Hajj because of the coronavirus, and the authorities allowed only 60,000 Saudi citizens to perform it.

Source: Prothom Alo. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.