Haj, a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, is a major source of income for the Saudi government from worshippers' lodging, transport, fees and gifts.

Pilgrims in white robes and sandals pack the ancient city, now dotted with luxury hotels and air-conditioned shopping malls, after flooding in on planes, buses and trains for the annual rites.

Only one million people can join the 2022 season, less than half of pre-pandemic levels, and access is restricted to pilgrims aged 18 to 65 who have been fully vaccinated or immunised against the virus and do not suffer from chronic diseases.

Workers have returned floor markings removed on Oct 17 to guide people to social distance in and around the Grand Mosque.

This year's haj, with participants chosen through a lottery, is larger than the pared-down version staged in 2020 but drastically smaller than in normal times.

Roughly 20 robots are currently available for helping visitors and pilgrims at the haj.

These are the only two vaccines recognised by Saudi Arabia.

Only immunised pilgrims are eligible for permits to perform the pilgrimage and to attend prayers in the Grand Mosque during Ramadan.

Only those who have received two doses of the vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior, and people who have recovered from the infection will be eligible for permits.

The poster depicted a mythical half-woman and half-snake on the Kaaba with flags of LGBT, lesbian, trans and asexual people.

There is no word on whether the kingdom's strict ban on alcohol will be modified.

Politicians and elected representatives have been the biggest recipients of haj quotas over the decades.