Hajj 2022: 10 Ways To Make Your Pilgrimage Healthy

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia has lifted most Covid-19 restrictions for entry into Saudi Arabia. As of early March 2022, allowing the entrance of pilgrims for the 2022 Hajj with some travel requirements.

Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam. And one of the world’s busiest organized movements of people. Millions of Muslims travel to Makkah from all over the world to visit the Great Mosque of Makkah (Masjid al-Haram) and perform various religious rituals and devotion.

Travelling can be exhausting before and during your trip; therefore, pilgrims should consider their physical health before traveling to Makkah and plan their time to reduce potential health risks. 

This year, Ramadan will start on April 2, 2022, and end on May 2, 2022. It is ideal for pilgrims to travel during this holy month of Ramadan to the Hajj 2022.

Here are ten ways to make your pilgrimage as healthy as possible! (Note: Information on Hajj 2022 is provisional and subject to change.)

10 Tips for a Healthy Hajj 2022

If you want to make sure your trip is as safe as possible, it is vital to plan early. Here are ten steps you can take today to ensure a healthy hajj in 2022.

• Find out what vaccinations you need for Hajj
• Get ready to fast
• Health Medication Package
• Pack light
• Keep track of your belongings
• Plan for accommodations
• Plan your transportation carefully
• Bring cash
• Stay hydrated
• Stay active

• Find out what vaccinations you need for Hajj–To prepare for travel, everyone should check with their doctor about whether they need any vaccinations or other preventative measures for their journey to Makkah. And as one requirement to enter the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia has approved four Covid-19 vaccines for entry: AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. To get vaccinated with Medbury Medicals, click here.
• Get ready to fast–When traveling for Hajj or Umrah, remember that you will fast during daylight hours. Getting set will help avoid unnecessary anxiety later on when it comes time to observe fast days on your pilgrimage. Before you jump right into fasting, it is essential to check the state of your health for any underlying health issues or undiscovered health issues. (Get an annual medical check-up by visiting Medbury Medicals life-check center).
• Health Medication Package- Although most pilgrims do not experience significant health problems on Hajj, pack some over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers and stomach medications.
• Pack light–This might seem obvious, but many people forget how much extra weight they carry once they get into Saudi Arabia. Do not bring over two bags and do not forget that each one counts towards your total luggage allowance! 
• Keep track of your belongings–You should leave nothing valuable behind, monitor everything! You never know who might try to pickpocket or steal from unsuspecting pilgrims along the way.
• Plan for accommodations-Book your hotel or hostel rooms well in advance. Remember that accommodation prices go up closer to September every year, so if you wait until late to look for a place to stay, chances are you won’t find anything affordable. 
• Plan your transportation carefully–Many pilgrims choose not to drive into Makkah because parking is limited and expensive. Instead, they opt for public transportation options like buses and trains. However, these may also fill up quickly, so make reservations as soon as possible. 
• Bring cash–Although you may use credit cards in some places throughout Saudi Arabia. There is often a surcharge associated with using them. ATMs may charge additional fees for withdrawals from foreign accounts.
• Stay hydrated–The desert heat in Makkah is brutal, and even moderate dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion. Be sure to drink plenty of water before you leave your hotel room or house, and always bring a water bottle with you wherever you go.
• Stay active–It is easy to fall into a routine where all you do is walk from your hotel room to Mecca and back again, but that does not mean it is healthy!

Latest Saudi Arabia Travel Requirements for Hajj 2022

• Travelers must register their complete vaccination information before they fly to Saudi Arabia.
• Travelers going for vacation or business visits must take out an insurance policy. This policy will cover the cost of any Covid-19 medical treatments.
• Travelers who have received all their vaccinations do not need to take any PCR tests or quarantine. Unvaccinated passengers still require a Covid-19 PCR test. Click here to book a test with Medbury.
• Saudi Arabia will require a five-day mandatory quarantine once you arrive for unvaccinated travelers.
• Children under 18 years old don’t have to be vaccinated or have a test before entering the country.
• As part of Saudi Arabia travel requirements, in open areas, residents and travelers are no longer required to wear masks. Except at sensitive locations such as the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah and the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
• Before entering cafes, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, cinemas, and other closed areas, everyone must show their health status.

We can reduce health and safety risks by following these comprehensive travel health tips. It is often the little precautions that make all the difference to our health and wellbeing. While planning to perform the Hajj, you should also consider all valid health advisories and stay updated with the latest travel and health news.