VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The COVID-19 Handling Task Force will monitor the departure and return of umrah pilgrims in line with the approval received from the Government of Saudi Arabia for pilgrims from Indonesia to perform umrah.

“The task force will support the quarantine, departure process, and return of the pilgrims,” spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, stated during an online discussion monitored here, Thursday.

The Indonesian government had earlier received a diplomatic note regarding the implementation of umrah from the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Jakarta on October 8, 2021.

However, the diplomatic note has not discussed the conditions that Saudi Arabia set for prospective Indonesian Umrah pilgrims. Hence, the government cannot as yet provide certainty regarding the departure of umrah pilgrims.

However, Adisasmito has urged prospective pilgrims to make requisite preparations, especially pertaining to their health. They are required to take care of their health before departure by being disciplined in following health protocols.

"The task force will conduct contact tracing and offer medical treatment if needed," he affirmed.

For the departure scheme, pilgrims will undergo health screening a day before their departure, including a health check, COVID-19 vaccination check, meningitis vaccination check, and PCR swab test. The Ministry of Health will offer assistance for the health screening process.

In addition, hajj dormitories provide accommodation, food, and transportation facilities to facilitate the pilgrims' departure. The boarding, immigration checks, and ICV checks will also be conducted at the hajj dormitories.

Meanwhile, the return scheme entails PCR testing conducted in Saudi Arabia a maximum of three days before returning to Indonesia. Upon their arrival in Indonesia, the Umrah pilgrims will undergo another PCR testing and then undergo quarantine at the hajj dormitories for five days. (Antaranews)