The Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia operated at full capacity Sunday, with worshippers praying shoulder-to-shoulder for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Workers removed floor markings that guide people to social distance in and around the Grand Mosque, which is built around the Kaaba, the black cubic structure towards which
Muslims around the world pray. “This is in line with the decision to ease precautionary measures and to allow pilgrims and
visitors to the Grand Mosque at full capacity,” reported the oficial Saudi Press Agency.
While social distancing measures were lifed, the authorities said visitors must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus and must continue to wear masks on mosque grounds.
Also, the Kaaba remained cordoned of and out of reach. Saudi Arabia announced in August it will begin accepting vaccinated foreigners wanting to make the umrah pilgrimage. The umrah can be undertaken at any time and usually draws millions from around the globe,
as does the annual hajj, which abled-bodied Muslims who have the means must perform at least once in their lifetime.
In July, only around 60,000 inoculated residents were allowed to take part in a vastly scaled down form of the annual hajj.
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