Haj 2020: Saudi assigns health leaders to counter Covid-19

Haj 2020: Saudi assigns health leaders to counter Covid-19

The health leader will be a qualified medical practitioner who will perform visual screening and other duties.





In an unprecedented move, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has assigned a health leader for every 50 pilgrims during this year's exceptional Haj to ensure the implementation of all preventive measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Also read: Video: Saudis strive to prevent coronavirus outbreak in curtailed Haj

The Saudi Press Agency (Spa) on Tuesday carried a statement from the ministry in which it said the health leader will be in charge of ensuring that his team members are adhering to precautionary and preventive measures outlined by the authority, including social distancing and the movement between sacred places, for their safety and comfort.

The health leader will be a qualified medical practitioner who will perform visual screening, fill out the follow-up precautionary form inside the pilgrims' bus, monitor the commitment of pilgrims to preventive and precautionary measures, and report any suspected cases of Covid-19.

About 1,000 pilgrims have converged on the Mina Valley outside Makkah on today to begin their spiritual journey of a lifetime.The Day of Tarwiyah (fetching water) marks the beginning of Haj and pilgrims will spend their time praying and reflecting until sunrise on

Meanwhile, the