Saudi Arabia will only accept 60,000 citizens and residents to perform Hajj pilgrimage this year, shutting the doors to pilgrims from abroad.

Only 60,000 people from all nationalities living in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to perform the ritual due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said in a written statement.

It added that those who do not have chronic diseases, between the age of 18 and 65 and have been vaccinated will be allowed to perform Hajj.

On May 9, the ministry had announced that this year's pilgrimage will be held amid special health and safety measures in the shadow of the COVID-19 outbreak.