JEDDAH: Makkah’s Deputy Gov. Prince Saud bin Mishaal has inspected the holy sites during a field visit, reviewing operational readiness to receive pilgrims for the Hajj season, in line with directives from the Saudi leadership.
He reviewed several projects implemented by Kidana Development Co. in Mina, including 195 field maintenance centers, a pilgrim accommodation system covering more than 3.5 million sq. meters, the equipping of more than 54,000 camps, and over 700 multi-story kitchens and support facilities.
Prince Saud also looked at pedestrian walkway projects in the holy sites, including a shading project spanning more than 103,000 sq. meters, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He was briefed on a project replacing misting columns with 400 misting fans in the western and eastern plazas of the Jamarat facility, as well as infrastructure projects linking Mina camps through 74 escalators to facilitate pilgrim movement.
Officials from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also continue field inspection tours to monitor the readiness of service sites as the number of pilgrims arriving increases, enhancing compliance and improving service quality.
The tours cover pilgrim accommodation, hospitality centers, catering facilities, transportation services, and reception and grouping sites, in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and relevant authorities.
They aim to ensure full operational readiness and verify compliance with requirements related to accommodation, catering, transportation, guidance, and support services.
Teams from the compliance center are documenting field observations, referring them to relevant entities, and following up on responses, while prioritizing sites linked to the arrival phase, accommodation, and hospitality centers during this period.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has said the meningitis vaccine is mandatory for workers participating in the Hajj season, as part of efforts to enhance safety for workers and pilgrims.
Ministry spokesperson Abdulaziz Abdulbaqi said the requirement followed directives from the Supreme Hajj Committee to strengthen prevention and limit the spread of infectious diseases in crowded areas.
He stressed that protecting workers remains a healthcare priority.
Abdulbaqi said the vaccine helped to prevent serious infections in crowded settings, improved safety for workers and pilgrims, reduced transmission risk, and supported community protection after Hajj.
He added that the approved meningitis vaccine was valid for five years, so those vaccinated within that period do not need revaccination.
Abdulbaqi said vaccination was required to obtain a Hajj work permit and should be obtained at least 10 days before starting work to ensure effectiveness.
He also urged workers to complete other recommended vaccinations, especially seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.
The measures are part of an integrated system to strengthen public health and ensure a safe environment for workers and pilgrims during Hajj.
