KUALA LUMPUR: Individuals who have been vaccinated with Sinovac are allowed to perform the umrah in Saudi Arabia on the condition that they get a third dose of the vaccine.
Association of Umrah and Haj Travel Agents (Papuh) chairman Datuk Seri Razali Mohd Sham said this requirement from the Saudi government is applicable only for Sinovac vaccine recipients.
"The latest information that we received (on umrah requirements) is that the Saudi government wants the third dose for Sinovac vaccine recipients. This is not necessary for recipients of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines.
"This means those who have been vaccinated with Sinovac vaccine can still perform the umrah but they need the third dose," he told Berita Harian today.
It was reported that umrah travel agencies have been informed of additional conditions for those who want to perform the umrah under the new normal.
Other conditions include permission to perform umrah only one time (during the trip), a maximum of 25 people in the bus, only for twin-sharing accommodation and pilgrims who are above 18 years of age.
Saudi Arabia started to receive umrah applications from foreign countries on Aug 9.
Razali also said with the additional conditions, the cost to perform umrah for one person has increased from RM2,000 to RM3,000.
The additional costs are inevitable due to an increase in visa fee, with other ballooning cost from self-testing kits, accommodation and transport.
He said this has pushed the cost to perform the umrah to RM8,500 compared to RM5,500 before the pandemic.
"Visa fee was previously around RM250 to RM300 (per person) and now it has gone up to RM600 including insurance and screening tests."