In pictures: As COVID-19 lockdown eases, Saudi Arabia gets ready to welcome Haj pilgrims

Saudi Arabia is gearing up for a scaled-down Hajj season amid fears of the new pandemic

Published: July 23, 2020 13:34 Nilanjana Javed, Senior News Editor

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A reception staff wears a protective mask at a hotel in the holy city of Mecca. It will be the first time in Saudi Arabia's modern history that Muslims outside the kingdom have been barred from performing the hajj, which last year drew 2.5 million pilgrims. Image Credit: AFP

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Saudi officials wearing protective face masks stand as they work on raising the Kiswa, a silk cloth covering the Holy Kaaba, before the annual pilgrimage season, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Only 1,000 people will be accommodated this year for Hajj due to the pandemic. Image Credit: Reuters

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Craftsmen wear protective masks and work on raising the Kiswa. Mecca is preparing to receive Haj pilgrims who have met health conditions approved by the relevant authorities and entered into a week-long isolation. Image Credit: Reuters

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A security man checks the temperature of a worker as they work on raising the Kiswa, a silk cloth covering the Holy Kaaba, before the annual pilgrimage season, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Image Credit: Reuters

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The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has lifted the lower part of the Kiswa by about 3 meters and covered the raised area with white cotton fabric (approximately two meters in width from the four sides), taking all precautionary measures. Image Credit: Reuters

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Saudi officials and workers pose for a photo after inspections ahead of Hajj. Image Credit: Saudi Press Agency

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Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah inspects equipment to be used to help pilgrims this year. Image Credit: Saudi Press Agency

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A man checks prayers beads in the holy city of Mecca. To deter violators from entering the holy sites, Haj security forces will impose a comprehensive security cordon there with a fine of 10,000 riyals imposed on any offender, and it will be doubled if the violation is repeated. Image Credit: AFP

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Saudis sit in Al Sadd Lake Park, as the summer season kicks off with health precautions amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in an effort to boost internal tourism after the pandemic in Abha. Across Saudi Arabia, restrictions have been eased, and commercial activities have resumed and normalcy is returning. Image Credit: Reuters

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Saudi women walk in Abha High City, as the summer season kicks off with health precautions amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in an effort to boost internal tourism after the pandemic in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Image Credit: Reuters

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Vacationers fish during sunset at the Red Sea beach, in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. Image Credit: AP

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Saudi men take pictures at the Al Souda mountain. Kingdom’s domestic tourism is easing virus-related measures to prop up the economy. Image Credit: Reuters

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