Muslims begin downsized Haj pilgrimage amid COVID-19 pandemic

The government scaled back the pilgrimage as it could be a major source of contagion, but the move will deepen the kingdom's economic slump, analysts say. MECCA, Saudi Arabia: Muslim pilgrims on Wednesday begin the annual Haj, dramatically downsized this year as the Saudi hosts strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage.

Those selected to take part in the Haj were subject to temperature checks and placed in quarantine as they began trickling into Mecca at the weekend.READ: COVID-19: Haj plans for Singapore pilgrims deferred to protect their health and safety, says MUIS Haj authorities have cordoned off the Kaaba this year, saying pilgrims will not be allowed to touch it, to limit the chances of infection.

All worshippers were required to be tested for coronavirus before arriving in Mecca and will also have to quarantine after the pilgrimage as the number of cases in the kingdom nears 270,000 – one of the largest outbreaks in the Middle East.

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