JAKARTA - Head of the Mataram City Ministry of Religion, HM Amin, asked prospective Umrah pilgrims to be patient while waiting for regulations related to government policies to depart for the Holy Land in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The central government has given the green light regarding the opening of the departure for Umrah pilgrims. However, we have not officially received the policy until now", he told reporters in Mataram, reported by Antara, Friday, October 22.
The statement was made in connection with the large number of prospective Umrah pilgrims who came to the Mataram Ministry of Religion to ask about the Umrah departure system in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic after several media reported that the government had opened the departure gate for Umrah pilgrims two weeks ago.
According to him, from the information currently developing, the government is preparing and discussing regulations on standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the departure of Umrah pilgrims in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The regulations discussed were, among others, related to the implementation of the PeduliLindung application for all congregants, and the administration of the third vaccine dose as a booster.
For the application of the PeduliLindungi application, he said, so far it is still a consideration for discussion considering the Umrah pilgrims, even the Hajj pilgrims will not all have Android cellphone facilities and many pilgrims are in the elderly category, so they need a companion.
"However, we hope that the SOP for departure to the Holy Land which will be issued by the government can accommodate all the interests of the congregation", he said.
He said that after the official letter and regulations for the departure of Umrah pilgrims to the Holy Land were received, they would be disseminated to the general public and the Hajj and Umrah travel agencies.
Socialization is prioritized for Umrah travel agents so that they can continue to be prospective pilgrims. "Those who have congregations are travelers, so we socialize them through their agents", he said.
According to him, the number of Umrah travelers that have operational permits in Mataram City is 8-9 units, but operating more than that. "Only official Umrah travel that we will provide socialization and recommendations for making passports", he said.
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