KUWAT: Kuwaiti authorities have been informed that all pilgrims planning to go to Saudi Arabia during the upcoming Hajj season must be vaccinated no less than 10 days before entering the kingdom.
The step follows instructions of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj, and comes as part of preventive measures against the potential spread of the Ebola and MERS viruses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs gave permission to local pilgrimage offices to register pilgrims from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries who live in Kuwait.
Kuwait was forced to reduce the maximum number allocated for pilgrims last year due to the ongoing construction at the Holy Mosque in Mecca. As a result, local authorities banned expatriates from embarking on Hajj from Kuwait, in order to keep the limited seats available for Kuwaiti citizens. Kuwait's quota for pilgrims is estimated at 7,000 for Kuwaitis, compared to as much as 14,000 in previous years. Around 1,000 more seats are also allowed for stateless residents, and spouses of Kuwaiti nationals. Kuwait's population of GCC residents is estimated at 81,262 in 2011.
© Kuwait Times 2014
