Before you Travel

Travelling with Medication

If you take prescribed medication, make sure you have enough supply to cover the duration of your trip, and a little extra supply to allow for unforeseen delays.

• Keep all medicines in their original packaging in your hand luggage along with a printed copy of your prescription
• Ask your GP for a letter listing your current medicines for immigration purposes
• Be aware some medicines, such as morphine-based drugs, might be restricted in Saudi Arabia. Check with the Saudi Arabia foreign embassy if you are unsure

First Aid Kit

You should take a first aid kit with you.

During Travel

Accidents and Injuries

Accidents and injuries, such as slips, falls, stampedes and road accidents are common during the Hajj pilgrimage due to millions of pilgrims moving from one ritual place to another at the same time. To protect yourself, consider:

• Taking extra care when walking alongside busy roads, or close to heavy traffic
• Wearing comfortable, protective footwear when walking to avoid injuring your feet
  • This is particularly important if you have diabetes or any condition causing poor circulation.

Climate Related Health Risks

Temperatures can be greater than 30°C during the day in Saudi Arabia even during the winter and cause:

• Sunburn,
• Sunstroke
• Heat exhaustion, heat stroke
• Dehydration

Arriving in the country a few days early will allow you to acclimatize to the heat before undertaking Hajj. To avoid high daytime temperatures, you may be able to perform some rituals in the evening. Be aware that at night temperatures can fall to low levels, particularly during winter months.

It is important to:

• rest whenever possible
• keep yourself well hydrated using safe drinks
• seek shade where possible (consider using an umbrella to create shade)
• use a protective sunscreen, factor 30 or higher
• bring warm bedding / clothing for night time

Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory infections, such as flu (influenza) and Coronavirus (COVID-19) can spread easily between people in crowded areas. Meningococcal meningitis is also spread through sneezing, coughing or direct contact with respiratory secretions.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV) is a risk in Saudi Arabia.

Food and Water precautions

Consuming food and water which contains germs (such as viruses or bacteria) can lead to potentially serious illnesses such as travellers’ diarrhoea and are commonly seen in pilgrims during Hajj. Diseases such as hepatitis A and typhoid are also spread through food and water.

Wash your hands frequently to reduce your risk of becoming unwell from diseases spread by food and water, especially before eating and drinking and after using the toilet.

Diseases spread by mosquitoes and other insects

It is important to try and protect yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes and other insects, as they can spread diseases such as dengue fever, malaria or leishmaniasis.

• See the mosquito bite avoidance and insect bite avoidance pages for information on measures you can take to protect yourself.

Blood-borne Virus Transmission Associated with Shaving

Unclean razor blades can transmit blood-borne viral infections, including HIV and hepatitis B.

To lower your risk, you should:

• Avoid sharing personal razors or shaving blades with other people
• Only use officially licensed barbers at designated centres and avoid street barbers
• Ask the barber to wash their hands before shaving you
• Check the barber is using a new disposable single use razor; or ask them to use your personal razor
• Avoid all other kinds of razors, including the ones which the blade is changed after every shave
• Dispose of razor blades safely after use in designated containers

Vaccination against hepatitis B may be recommended if you are considered to be at increased risk. Check with a travel health professional if you are unsure.