The Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday announced the online application process for Haj 2021 with significant changes keeping in view the COVID-19 outbreak. While announcing Haj 2021 at Haj House, Mumbai today, Naqvi said that national-international Protocol Guidelines due to Pandemic Position will be implemented and followed strictly during the Haj 2021.

The last date of applying for Haj 2021 is 10th December, 2020. The people can apply online, offline and through Haj Mobile App. Naqvi said that Haj 2021 is scheduled for June-July 2021, and the entire process is being held according to the necessary guidelines issued by the Saudi Arabia Government and the Government of India in view of Coronavirus Pandemic to ensure health and well-being of the people. Naqvi said that the arrangements have been made under special circumstances with special norms, rules and regulations, eligibility criteria, age restrictions, health and fitness requirements and other relevant conditions.

Each pilgrim will have to undergo Corona test 72 hours before Haj journey as per prevailing international air travel protocol. They have to submit a PCR test certificate issued by an approved laboratory with a negative result before journey to Saudi Arabia. Naqvi said that keeping in view the Pandemic position and feedback received from Air India and other agencies, embarkation points for Haj 2021 have been reduced to 10 points across the country. For Haj 2021, the 10 embarkation points are- Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Cochin, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Srinagar.