The first groups of Umrah pilgrims are returning to the Grand Mosque in Mecca, as COVID-19 precautionary measures are being enforced.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has ordered specific protocols.
These include cleaning the Grand Mosque 10 times a day before and after the Umrah groups and sanitising the toilets six times daily.
Carpets, Zamzam water fountain basins and all vehicles will be sterilised.
Thermal cameras have also been installed.
The official Saudi Arabian News Agency says several sites have been prepared at Ajyad, Al-Shisha, Al-Gaza, and Al-Zahir, to transport people to the Grand Mosque.


164 confirmed dead after two major earthquakes strike Venezuela
Europeans told to protect themselves as deadly heatwave takes its toll
Trump asks Congress for more funds to fight Iran, defying rebuke on war powers
Magnitude 6.9 quake strikes Japan's northeast, no tsunami warning
US, Iran at odds on nuclear inspections, frozen assets in deal to end war
