Subsequent to the announcement to hold this year's Hajj pilgrimage in very limited numbers and restrict it to Saudi residents, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, laid out the plan for the pilgrimage.

As per the press conference held by Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten, Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah, the following plan of action will be in place for the Hajj pilgrimage beginning in the last week of July - Excerpts:

• Plan for Hajj has been outlined in consultation with Ministry of Health to set coronavirus preacautionary measures
• Individuals will be tested before they are allowed to proceed for Hajj and will have to quarantine once they have performed the Hajj.
• Only residents and citizens under the age of 65 will be allowed to perform Hajj this year
• A special hospital has been prepared in case of emergencies during Hajj
• Hajj groups will be formed of lesser numbers, to ensure social distancing
• Number of Hajj pilgrims will not reach hundred of thousands this year
• No exceptions for international pilgrims - Hajj only allowed for those residing in Saudi Arabia
• Media coverage will be according to health procedures
• Ministry will coordinate with the respective diplomatic missions to register their pilgrims
• Health status of each pilgrim will be monitored on a daily basis

The annual Hajj pilgrimage which forms one of the mandatory pillars of Islam, sees a couple of million from across the world each year. The figure had touched 2.5 million in 2019.  Indications from the Saudi government are that this years count will be significantly lower, primarily because there is no international pilgrim and secondly because there are restrictions on health and age of pilgrims within the country as well.

Indicating that safety of pilgrims will be the priority of the government, the ministry expressed gratitude to all countries who had announced before hand that they will not send pilgrims from their country for the Hajj pilgrimage.