Jeddah: After two years of restrictions imposed due to the pandemic, Saudi Arabia decided to remove the barricades around the holy Kaaba to allow worshippers to touch it, Arab News reported.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, headed by Sheikh Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, announced the same on Tuesday.
The said barriers were placed to ensure social distancing among devotees.
In March 2020, the area around the Kaaba where pilgrims moved around it seven times was closed and sterilized as a precautionary step to contain the Covid-19 virus.
The Presidency head Al-Sudais said that the administration's decision showed the care it gives to pilgrims and its devotion to enabling the rituals to be carried out in a safe a spiritual atmosphere, particularly after the increase in visitors as part of Umrah season.
He further said that the Grand Mosque authority is cooperating with all sectors inside the mosque in accepting pilgrims and providing services.
The chief also paid his gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support, attention and care towards the Two Holy Mosques and prayed before Allah to bless them.
Later, he said that the presidency had begun preparations in providing services like preparing the Grand Mosque in Makkah and its courtyards to receive Umrah pilgrims and also crowd management preparations.