The Saudi Arabia Ministry for Hajj and Umrah has announced that Ghana’s quota for this year’s hajj is 3,069 pilgrims.
This was made known by Ghana’s Chairman of the Hajj Board, Sheikh I C Quaye, at a meeting with members of the Hajj Agents Association of Ghana on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
Sheikh Quaye noted that prospective pilgrims above 65 years of age will not be allowed into Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.
The Saudis have also said this year’s Hajj will be expensive for three main reasons: the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) from five (5) to fifteen (15) per cent and the demolition and reconstruction of buildings and hotels in Mecca.
The huge investments made in Mina and Arafat will also be factored into the cost.
Sheikh I C Quaye added that the Saudis have also put in place strict health control measures during the Hajj period from 7th – 12th July 2022.
Read the measures and rules for this year’s hajj below:
Age limit & testing requirements
Hajj will be available this year for those under 65 years of age, provided that they obtain the basic doses of vaccines approved in the Kingdom and they must present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival to the Kingdom.
Vaccination requirements
Pilgrims must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with the complete doses of the following vaccines to be able to enter Saudi Arabia:
• Pfizer/BioNTech. 2 doses
• Oxford/AstraZeneca: 2 doses
• Johnson and Johnson. 1 dose
• Moderna. 2 doses
• Sinopharm + 1 dose of any of the above vaccines
• Sinovac + 1 dose of 1 of any of the above vaccines
Quarantine requirements
No quarantine will be necessary for foreign pilgrims fully vaccinated with vaccines approved in Saudi Arabia.
Medical Insurance
Pilgrims must have medical insurance to cover any COVID-19-related treatment costs during their stay.
Permit
Worshippers are no longer required to obtain a permit and appointment to pray at the Grand Mosque in Makkah as well as the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
E-Hajj
All intending pilgrims must be registered online through e-hajj.
The e-track was already active.
The Hajj Board is to conclude all arrangements with service providers by the middle of May 2022.
In this regard, a delegation led by the Chairman is leaving for Saudi Arabia for further negotiations on housing, transport, medical, flight, and other services.
