China First Vaccinates Muslim Foreigners On Ramadan Considerations

A number of foreign nationals from the Middle East enter the observation room of a temporary vaccination center in the Chaoyang Park area of Beijing (M. Irfan Ilmie/Antara)

JAKARTA - The Chinese government prioritizes foreign nationals who are Muslims to receive injections of the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccine in consideration of the incoming holy month of Ramadan.

As reported by Antara, Tuesday, April 13, several Muslim foreigners who have filled out a form based on a circular from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (MFA) received the second phase of COVID-19 vaccine injections in the area of Chaoyang Park Art Museum, Beijing, Monday afternoon.

According to the schedule, foreigners who have obtained the first phase of the vaccine on March 23, 2021, will get the second phase of the vaccine on April 15, 2021.

But the MFA has another policy after considering that some Muslim foreigners, particularly those in Beijing, begin fasting Ramadan on Tuesday, April 13, so the second phase of the vaccine schedule is advanced to Monday.

"Considering that mid-April has entered Ramadan and in order to protect the health of journalists and the effectiveness of vaccines, Muslim journalists who have received the first stage injections can receive the second stage of injections at the Chaoyang Park Art Museum on April 12, 2021 (Monday)," said the circular received by Antara.

Vaccination for foreigners is self-contained and costs 180 yuan or about Rp. 401,000 for two doses of Sinopharm-made vaccines paid for by transfer to a bank account belonging to the Beijing City Center for The Prevention and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CDC).

"There are 15 registered journalists today," said a volunteer who specializes in the administration of Muslim journalists.

As reported by Antara Beijing earlier, the Muslim Association of China (CIA) has set the date of 1 Ramadan 1442 Hijri falls on April 13, 2021.