Managing Hajj Mass Gathering Throughout the Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction:

The rise of the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant concerns due to the risk of transmission in such mass gatherings. Too many variables for such a critical challenge made it more of a complex situation, with an enormous negative impact on either decision. In this paper, we aimed to summarize the experience of Saudi Arabia in hosting and managing Hajj throughout the pandemic for three seasons, the public health strategies to control the COVID-19 transmission during Hajj, and the policies and regulations that were implemented for the safe return of Hajj.

Method:

This is a summary of our experience in managing Hajj seasons throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for the period 2020, 2021, and 2022. A description of the factors, models, and tools used to assess the situation for each year, and the bundles of measures followed to mitigate the events aiming to hold a "Safe Hajj".

Results:

2020 was a unique year, with the pandemic at its height with no vaccination available. So, the decision was to hold a symbolic strict Hajj of only 1,000 pilgrims residing within Saudi Arabia. In 2021, as the World was easing restrictions and distributing vaccines, around 60,000 internal pilgrims got to perform Hajj, and 2022 hosted one million international pilgrims. That is still 40% of 2019 Hajj with 2.5 million due to considerations to avoid usual overcrowding and mandating COVID-19 full vaccination status.

Conclusion:

Our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three years has informed us that huge MGs can be conducted safely during the pandemic if adequate measures were implemented. That would include an accurate and reliable risk assessment to inform policymakers about the most effective strategies.