Every pilgrim wants to perform their Hajj duties in the right way and stay healthy during Hajj pilgrimage. So, taking precautionary measures is essential.
After two years of strict restrictions due to COVID-19, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently announced its Hajj Policy 2022. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, a total of 81,132 pilgrims from Pakistan will be allowed to perform their Hajj duties in July 2022. However, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia has issued strict guidelines for this year’s pilgrimage.
As millions of Muslim pilgrims from around the world visit Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season, the government ensures that proper protocols are set to prevent any kind of major problem during Hajj. Moreover, the pilgrims are also advised to take care of their health so that they can perform their Hajj duties with ease.
Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, has compiled a guide of essential tips to stay healthy during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Vaccinations Required Before Travelling
With millions of people from different countries of the world gathering to perform their Hajj duties, there are higher chances of COVID-19 (and other diseases) spreading around.
The following is a list of mandatory vaccines for pilgrims from Pakistan:
- COVID-19
- Meningococcal disease
- Poliomyelitis
- Yellow fever
Other vaccines are also recommended by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, for instance, vaccines against hepatitis A & B, pneumonia, typhoid, and tetanus.
| No. | COVID-19 Vaccine | Number of Doses |
| 1 | Pfizer-BioNTech | 2 |
| 2 | Moderna | 2 |
| 3 | Oxford-Astrazeneca | 2 |
| 4 | Janssen | 1 |
| 5 | Covovax | 2 |
| 6 | Nuvaxovid | 2 |
| 7 | Sinopharm | 2 |
| 8 | Sinovac | 2 |
| 9 | Covaxin | 2 |
| 10 | Sputnik-V | 2 |
COVID-19 Protocols for Hajj 2022
As compared to the previous two years, the government of Saudi Arabia has significantly relaxed its Hajj protocols.
According to the new policy, the pilgrims have to produce a negative PCR test report 3 days before the flight. Moreover, they should have a valid vaccination certificate in digital form to ease the process during flights.
The pilgrims must wear masks during their travel and stay in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. However, the organizers can choose whether they want to wear a mask or not.
Protocols to Follow During Stay in the Holy Cities
During the Hajj pilgrimage, the following safety measures should be adopted:
Tips to Stay Healthy During Hajj Pilgrimage
The following are some essential tips to stay healthy during the Hajj pilgrimage:
- Take essential measures to prevent food poisoning
- Drink a lot of water
- Take good care of your hygiene
- Take essential medicines with you
- Do not overexert yourself
- Keep yourself attached to the group
- Avoid crowded areas
Take Essential Measures to Prevent Food Poisoning
An important thing to take care of during Hajj is your food. Always eat from restaurants that take proper hygiene measures. Avoid street vendors, especially if you are sensitive to foreign food. Contact your group leader if you feel unwell at any time during your travel.
Food poisoning is one of the most common health issues that pilgrims face during their stay. One should make better food choices and eat in moderation. It is better to visit a nutritionist and have a customised diet plan.
Your diet should include food items such as whole-grain bread and oats, raw and steamed vegetables, fresh fruits, skinless chicken, fish, low-fat dairy products, raw nuts, and olive oil. These will protect your stomach from contracting any infection.
Drink a Lot of Water
Hajj is an extreme exercise and it is very tough. Secondly, Saudi Arabia is mostly a desert, and temperatures are extreme during the summers. You can face severe dehydration problems or even heatstroke if you are not careful.
Since Hajj 2022 is taking place during the month of July, one of the hottest months of the year, keeping yourself constantly hydrated will help a lot.
You should ideally consume about 10 to 12 glasses of water every day. Try to drink water that is sealed or directly from the Zamzam containers.
Take Good Care of Your Hygiene
One should take good care of hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap or an appropriate disinfectant. As hands are the biggest source of transmission for viruses and bacteria, it is essential to keep hands clean.
Avoid direct contact with others. You must wash your hands well before and after preparing food and before eating food. Keep tissues with you at all times.
Since pilgrims are supposed to get their heads shaved or hair trimmed during Hajj, they need to make sure that the barber uses single-use shavers or sterilizes his tools properly before using them.
Moreover, try to pay close attention to your oral hygiene to stay healthy and safe during Hajj.
Take Essential Medicines With You | Stay Healthy During Hajj Pilgrimage
If you have any medical conditions, it is advised that you carry essential medications with you. These can be medicines that you consume regularly due to any illness or bodily discomfort, or medications that you plan to take as a contingency.
Along with maintaining healthy eating habits during Hajj, pilgrims should also consider taking supplements containing Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium as part of their diet, as it will increase energy and build immunity. However, consult your doctor before taking any multivitamins or any other kind of medication.
Do Not Overexert Yourself
Hajj requires lots of walking and other physical activities. . It is important to avoid overexerting yourself as it can trigger health-related issues.
Heart attacks and other such problems are the most common reason for the deaths of pilgrims during Hajj as they overexert themselves.
All you need to do is take your medicines on a regular basis and take short breaks when you can. Furthermore, although medical facilities during Hajj are hard to come by, pilgrims must refer to a doctor or a medical practitioner if they start noticing any health issues during their journey.
Keep Yourself Attached To the Group
Try to stay connected with the group members with whom you are travelling. You should follow crowd control instructions and signage. Moreover, you must always have your identification cards with you. It will help you in communication with the guards and other support staff.
Avoid Crowded Areas
On average, two million people from around the world perform Hajj every year. Try to avoid crowded areas and perform rituals during non-peak periods.
For more related information, visit Graana Blog.
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