VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Pekanbaru, Riau - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has expressed hope that the schedule for Hajj pilgrimage would remain unaffected despite Saudi Arabia's decision to suspend entry for Umrah pilgrims to avert further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The schedule for Hajj pilgrimage has yet to be changed. It will run in June and July this year for Eid al-Adha, Amin stated during a working visit to Pekanbaru, Riau, on Friday.

"We do not know yet. Preparations for Hajj pilgrimage are still running normally, but we will observe the developments. If the situation is unsafe, we may have a different decision. However, until now, there is no change," Amin stated.

The vice president noted that the government was able to cognize with Saudi's decision to suspend entry for Umrah pilgrims.

Saudi has also chosen to suspend Umrah temporarily for citizens and residents in the kingdom and barred them from visiting the Prophet’s mosque in Medina.

Saudi Arabia, on Monday, confirmed its first case of new coronavirus after one of its citizens, who returned from the COVID-19 hotspot Iran, had tested positive.

On Feb 27, it suspended the entry of foreigners for Umrah pilgrimage from countries where the new coronavirus has spread, as a growing number of cases outside China deepened fears of a pandemic.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the suspension was temporary in nature but offered no timeframe until when it would be applicable.  (ANTARA)