Omicron Case Rises, DPR Leader Asks Ministry Of Religion To Immediately Finish Preparations For Umrah

JAKARTA - The leadership of the Indonesian House of Representatives welcomes the certainty of the departure of Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this January. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Muhaimin Iskandar asked the government in this case the Ministry of Religion to immediately prepare carefully all the rules and technicalities for sending Umrah pilgrims to the holy land.

In particular, the health protocol, as cases of COVID-19, the Omicron variant, have developed rapidly recently. In fact, there is an increase in cases in the country.

"Preparations must be made immediately. Regarding departure, I think we have to look at the development of the spread of this new COVID. Of course, preparations must be finalized, while preparing a good health protocol system. Both during Umrah and before departure and post-departure," Muhaimin told reporters. , Friday, January 7th.

Cak Imin, as he is called, reminded the congregation about the quarantine. According to him, congregants should no longer be charged with expensive quarantine fees during and after performing Umrah. It is possible, he said, to use the hajj dormitory facilities for quarantine.

"Isolation, for example, must use hajj dormitories so it's cheaper. If isolation using hotels will definitely be very burdensome for pilgrims. Pilgrims can use hajj dormitories which are everywhere, it's cheaper," explained the PKB general chairman.

If not, he added, the government must find a formula so that the health insurance for the Umrah pilgrims can be guaranteed.

"As long as it can be a cheap way, look for other possible ways, the congregation is healthy, safe, safe," said Cak Imin.

Previously, the Main Director of Special Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag), Nur Arifin, said the first Umrah pilgrims would depart after January 6, 2022.

The departure will be carried out after the return of 25 advance teams from the owners of the Umrah Worship Travel Organizer (PPIU) who left for the first Umrah on Thursday, December 23, 2021.

"What is clear is that the Advance Team will return on the 6th, God willing. As soon as they return after the 6th, there will be a departure, we are preparing this," said Arifin.