Evaluation Of Omicron, The Ministry Of Religion Stops The Departure Of Umrah Pilgrims To Saudi Arabia

Photo by KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ on Unsplash

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) has decided to temporarily suspend the departure of Umrah pilgrims to the Holy Land since Saturday, January 15. This is to evaluate the One Gate Policy (OGP) scheme and monitor the development of COVID-19 in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

"Umrah pilgrims will depart until January 15, 2022, and we are trying to temporarily stop them for evaluation," said Director General of Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Religion, Hilman, Monday, January 17. The Ministry of Religion, he continued, will review the OGP scheme which requires Umrah pilgrims to perform a health screening and complete documents upon arrival at Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory.

He said, since January 8, 1,731 Umrah departures have gone through the Pondok Gede Hajj Embarkation Dormitory, Jakarta.

"We will thoroughly examine the OGP concept by looking at the developments that occur when the Omicron virus is growing in several countries, including Indonesia and Saudi Arabia," said Hilman.

As for the Umrah pilgrims who left on Saturday, January 8, they will return to Indonesia on Monday, January 17, 2022. Later, said Hilman, the pilgrims will be evaluated and seen whether or not any variants of COVID-19 have been detected, especially Omicron.

"After the evaluation, it will be decided whether to send the congregation back or to temporarily stop the Umrah trip," said Hilman.