Minister of Health Dr. Osama Shobokshi carried out yesterday the usual inspection tour of the health facilities in Makkah and the Holy Sites in preparation for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage for the year 1421 H, and noted that 20 physicians specialized in intensive care had been recruited from outside the Kingdom to serve the pilgrims' needs. Remarking that so far all those arriving are in good health, he confirmed that a number of pilgrims had been denied entry because of epidemic diseases in their countries of departure.

On Wednesday, 600 Palestinian pilgrims crossed from Gaza into Egypt heading for Al-Arish airport in order to fly to Jeddah for the Hajj.  They were originally scheduled to leave from Gaza Airport, which was closed by the Israeli authorities.

Meanwhile, convoys of pilgrims from various departure points, including some in Europe, are continuing to arrive from Jordan at the border post of Halit Ammar on the road to Tabuk. All facilities and services are available at the pilgrims' camp there, including currency exchange.

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