Singapore low -cost carrier Scoot today (Sep 29) announced the resumption of flights from Singapore to Jeddah and vice versa, starting October 21, 2021.
In a press statement on Wednesday, Scoot said it aims to meet the demand of people who are already fully vaccinated and interested in going to Saudi Arabia.
Scoot added it is also for those who want to perform umrah in Makkah and Medina. Meanwhile in Makkah itself, an additional 25 lanes have been provided at the Grand Mosque to provide comfort to the growing number of Umrah pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia. This is done to ensure a safe distance in the midst of the current pandemic.
According to an Arab News report, more than 12,000 umrah visas have been issued since the Saudi authorities reopened umrah visa applications for foreigners from abroad on August 10.
In fact, the capacity of umrah pilgrims who are allowed to perform the ibadah has now been increased to 70,000 people a day.
Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, revealed that the Saudi government is targeting up to 3.5 million umrah pilgrims a month.
More areas that were previously closed are now reopening. Similarly, the zam-zam water barrels that were removed before have been returned.
The pilgrims can also take zam-zam water from the pipes provided throughout the Grand Mosque. Manuscripts of the Quran are also reprinted everywhere.