In preparation for this year’s Hajj, the Ministry of Transport has completed the maintenance of about 491 km of roads leading to Makkah and has assigned buses for each pilgrim group with full precautionary measures.

These steps follow the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince with the support and supervision of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Al Mukaramah Province, and the follow-up of Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport, to serve the visitors of the Holy House of Allah.

Periodic and preventive maintenance was carried out on several major roads leading to Makkah Al Mukaramah, which included Al Madinah Highway, Jeddah Highway, Old Jeddah Road, Al Sail Road, Al Hada Road, Al Layth Road.

Maintenance work included lighting, bridge expansion, fence repair, scraping and asphalting, as well upkeep of directional signs, road signs, road sign holders, paints, cat eyes, construction of concrete and metal barriers, and fence wires. Wadi Ash Shu'bah ferry also started its operation.

Al-Jasser confirmed the readiness of all facilities and installations for Hajj. He sought the importance of cooperation of the entire transport users to comply with the necessary preventative measures against COVID-19.

Buses have been assigned to each pilgrim group with a dedicated seat number for each pilgrim for the entire Hajj trip. Pilgrims, except for those needing assistance, will enter and exit the bus through different doors. If any passenger is found COVID-19 positive, then the bus will not ply until it has been thoroughly disinfected.

The number of passengers must not exceed 50% of the total accommodation capacity of the bus. Passengers must adhere to physical distancing inside the bus by following the recommended policy. A seat must be left vacant between two passengers. However, families can sit together. No one is allowed to stand inside the bus. All passengers must wear facemasks.

The Ministry of Transport is working in partnership with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and other competent authorities to serve the honorable guests of Allah in accordance with the operational plan for the safety and well-being of the visitors.

The transport system works in accordance with the precautionary measures taken by the Ministry of Health with all relevant authorities participating in this year’s Hajj to facilitate the movement of pilgrims between the holy places.