The meeting was presided by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region, who is also chairman of the Central Hajj Committee. The committee reviewed and discussed the general preparations for this year's Hajj Season.

The meeting was made aware of the preparedness of all relevant government agencies designated to provide required state-of-the-art services and facilities for pilgrims coming from within the country only following one of the latest regulations in light of the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

The committee, in particular, reviewed the preparedness of the four assembly and reception centres, and the internal transit stations allocated for carrying pilgrims to the Grand Mosque in conjunction with the necessary authorities.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that the number of devotees expected to perform Hajj this year will be 60,000 domestic pilgrims from 120 nationalities and Saudi residents from within the country and that the total number of Hajj applications submitted through the electronic monitoring surpassed 558,000.

The ministry also stated that now the smart Hajj card that would be used by all pilgrims and employees this year would be implemented, permitting cardholders to benefit from a range of services such as accessing camps and hotels and accessing modes of transportation.

The card also aids in the recovery of lost pilgrims, and the re-grouping and directing of crowds.

As per the meeting, the Ministry of Transport has allocated 3,000 passenger buses, each of them capable of transporting 20 devotees, each escorted by a leader and an assigned guide for each group of 20 devotees.

According to the government, pilgrims will be served pre-prepared lunches and dinners that satisfy the highest quality and food security requirements, an unparalleled offering during Hajj.