The Andhra Pradesh State Haj Committee has issued fresh guidelines for Haj pilgrimage following the guidelines issued by the Haj Committee of India.
As per the new guidelines, all the applicants aged above 65 will be considered ineligible. Haj is open to all under the age of 65 (as of April 30, 2022), who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the vaccines approved by the Saudi Ministry of Health.
Pilgrims have to submit COVID-19 negative RT-PCR test results from samples taken 72 hours before the time of departure.
Fresh applications can be submitted between April 9 and 22 by those having passport issued on or before April 22 and are valid up to December 31, 2022.
In a release on Sunday, APSHC chairman B.S. Ghouse Lazam said the guidelines issued by the Central committee should be followed by everyone. Applications can be submitted at www.hajcommittee.gov.in or www.apstatehajcommittee.com. He said aspirants can also call toll-free number 1800-4257-873 or 0866-2471786.
Mr. Ghouse said all assistance required would be provided by the APSHC. He said financial assistance of ₹60,000 to pilgrims with less than ₹3 lakh annual income and ₹30,000 to other pilgrims would be provided by the State government.