Security officers on Thursday fined 52 people 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,666) each for breaching Hajj regulations that ban entry to the Grand Mosque and pilgrimage sites without a valid permit.
The Hajj Security Forces Command spokesman, Brigadier General Sami Al Shuwairekh, said they were caught violating Hajj instructions.
Millions usually take part in the pilgrimage, but this year just 60,000 pilgrims who are already in the kingdom are being allowed to participate, in an effort to ensure social distancing and prevent Covid-19 infections. Only those who applied and were granted a permit can visit the Grand Mosque or the holy sites for Hajj this year. It is expected to begin on July 18.
The Saudi Interior Ministry said on Sunday that the fine will be doubled if the offence is repeated.
People have attempted to sneak into the Grand Mosque ahead of Hajj to get around the permit system and the costs of taking part in the pilgrimage.
To ensure safety, cleaners will sterilise the floors and yards of the Grand Mosque 10 times a day.
All arrangements are being made to combat the coronavirus, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said.
Pilgrims are organised into groups and will not be allowed to board buses to the Grand Mosque without the team leader.
Pick up and drop off points have been allocated for pilgrims who will be travelling between the holy sites for Hajj rites while the faithful will still camp and stay at approved locations.
The ministry will allocate a specific schedule for each camp for the ritual stoning, one of the undertakings of the pilgrimage.
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister approved the general emergency plan for this year’s Hajj earlier this week. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs is launching a set of awareness programs and has approved the plan for this year's Hajj.
Workshops have been taking place to ensure pilgrims' safety for Hajj season. There have been training courses with Saudi Red Crescent to ensure all Hajj and Umrah ministry employees are equipped to work on delivering a successful Hajj season.
On Wednesday, Hajj and Umrah authorities reviewed executive plans to receive pilgrims from within the kingdom at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.
