Photos show the impact coronavirus has had on Hajj pilgrimage

This year's Hajj pilgrimage has been dramatically scaled back as a result of the ongoing pandemic and it has resulted in some striking images of the now socially distant event.

As few as 1,000 people are taking part, with all of them already living in Saudi Arabia, to limit the spread of the virus.

The news report details the impact of the virus on the pilgrimage:

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Under normal circumstances, visitors to the Hajj would stand shoulder to shoulder, with parents carrying children on their backs and elderly relatives and those with walking difficulties pushed on wheelchairs.

Sky News reports that the pilgrims in attendance were chosen using an online portal and those who applied had to be between the ages of 20 and 50, with no terminal illnesses or symptoms of the virus.

For understandable reasons, priority was given to those who had not performed the Hajj before.

Prior to the journey beginning, the pilgrims were tested for the virus and given wristbands that were linked to their phones to ensure that they stayed isolated in their Mecca hotel rooms.

Once the Hajj concludes on Sunday (2 August), the pilgrims will have to quarantine themselves.

In a video released by Saudi media, Bol News reports, Emirati pilgrim Abdullah al-Kathiri said: "I did not expect, among millions of Muslims, to be blessed with approval. It is an indescribable feeling... especially since it is my first pilgrimage."

Kehinde Qasim Yusuf, an Australian pilgrim at this year's Hajj added: "This is a very special situation we find ourselves in. We also have the privilege to perform Hajj on behalf of the entire Muslim world."

CNN reports that Muhammad Saleh bin Taher Benten, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, said: "Hajj in 2020 is a truly exceptional pilgrimage by all measures.

"Due to the exceptional global health circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic, strict precautionary measures have been applied to ensure a healthy Hajj for all pilgrims."