Good morning, good afternoon and good evening. I’d like to start by wishing all Muslims Eid Mubarak al-Adha. And I’d like to congratulate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the steps it has put in place to make the Hajj as safe as possible this year.
This is a powerful demonstration of the kinds of measures that countries can and must take to adapt to the new normal. It’s not easy, but it can be done.
The pandemic does not mean life has to stop. We must all learn to live with the virus, and to take the steps necessary to live our lives, while protecting ourselves and others – especially those at highest risk of COVID-19.