UAE Hajj pilgrims to test and isolate on return amid Covid-19 precautions

Officials say seven-day home quarantine necessary

Worshippers gather before the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Saudi Arabia will welcome 850,000 Muslims from abroad for Hajj after the coronavirus pandemic restricted pilgrimage for two years. AFP

Worshippers arrive at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AFP

Worshippers arrive at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AFP

Worshippers arrive at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AFP

Worshippers gather before the Kaaba. AFP

Pilgrims offer prayers before Hajj. SPA

Pilgrims arrive in the holy city of Madinah. SPA

Pilgrims offer prayers. SPA

Coachloads of pilgrims in Madinah. SPA

Pilgrims at prayer. SPA

Moroccan pilgrims arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. SPA

Jeddah Port admits one of 1,183 Hajj pilgrims from Sudan. SPA

Hajj pilgrims from Sudan arrive at Jeddah Port. SPA

Officials at Jeddah check the papers of Hajj pilgrims on their arrival from Sudan. SPA

Customs officials check the papers of Hajj pilgrims at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah. SPA

Read the latest updates on the Hajj pilgrimage here

Emiratis embarking on Hajj must take a Covid-19 test on their return and should isolate for seven days.

At a televised briefing ahead of the Eid Al Adha break, UAE residents were urged to be vigilant amid a recent surge in cases.

Thousands of Emiratis - the government does not give an exact figure - will perform Hajj in the coming days.

On their return, they will be encouraged to take an optional test on arrival followed by a mandatory test on day four, said the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (Ncema).

They should quarantine for seven days at home.

This year, Hajj is restricted to only those who have not performed it before and those under the age of 65.

Pilgrims from the UAE are required to have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and had a booster. Citizens must submit a negative PCR test result before they fly to Saudi Arabia.

Dr Taher Al Ameri, spokesman for Ncema, urged all residents to be vigilant during the holidays.

“We urge the public to use electronic alternatives to distribute cash bonuses and gifts, and limit celebrations to immediate family members and relatives, as well as avoid physical greetings," he said.

Eid Al Adha will begin on Saturday, with public and private sector workers on holiday from Friday, July 8 until Monday, July 11.

Work will resume on Tuesday, July 12.

The UAE reported 1,764 new Covid-19 cases on Monday after an additional 225,157 tests were carried out.

The new cases bring the overall tally of infections to 952,960. Another 1,811 people beat the virus and total recoveries climbed to 933,257.

No coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the past 24 hours and the toll remained at 2,319.

At present, there are more than 17,000 active cases in the country that are officially recorded.