About 1,000 Muslim pilgrims will begin the annual Hajj pilgrimage for 2020 on Wednesday July 29th, a dramatic scale back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hajj 2020 is scheduled to begin next Wednesday with only 1,000 people allowed to attend the ceremony under special protective measures imposed because of the pandemic infection, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).
 
Nearly 2.5 million people attend the Islamic ritual in the sacred month of Dhu al-Hajjah with the peak of the event, standing on Mount Arafat, falling on Thursday.
 
The decision for admitting “very limited” number of pilgrims was announced by the Arab kingdom last month as the hosting country is also battling the pandemic.
 
Those taking part in the ceremony will be tested for coronavirus before arriving in the country and will stay in quarantine after arriving their home country, health officials have announced.
 
According to the protocols previously announced by Saudi Arabia wearing face masks will be mandatory during the ritual and entry to the holy sites will not be possible without a permit.
 
Pilgrims should also maintain the social distancing rules during prayers and avoid congregations at the sites or touching Kakba under the new measures.