Saudi Arabia Relaxes Quarantine Rules Until PCR Tests, DPR Asks Ministry Of Religion To Immediately Update Hajj And Umrah Policies

JAKARTA - The government of Saudi Arabia has lifted the restrictions on COVID-19 for its citizens and international travellers. Saudi Arabia has also relaxed rules for community activities amid the pandemic, such as not requiring quarantine, wearing masks outdoors and not requiring PCR tests.

The easing of this rule is certainly good news for prospective Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

Responding to this, Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar alias Cak Imin, welcomed Saudi Arabia's new policy regarding the implementation of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cak Imin also asked for a policy adjustment from the Indonesian government to ease the congregation. He assessed that the Hajj and Umrah policies must be updated immediately. "This is certainly good news. With this policy, we can see indications that COVID-19 has slowed down and is starting to return to order," said Cak Imin in a written statement, Wednesday, March 9.

Cak Imin assessed that the revocation of PCR and quarantine would reduce procedures that had been burdensome for associations and Umrah congregants.

"If there is no longer a quarantine requirement and a PCR check when entering Saudi Arabia, it must be responded to by mutual recognition," he said.

Cak Imin then encouraged various related parties to immediately update and formulate a reciprocal policy between the Governments of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia for this Hajj and Umrah affairs.

"It must be revised, all types of financing that are related to the COVID handling protocol, there are many components that can be reduced. I think this is fun, the atmosphere is improving, it must be reduced," he said. Previously, the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) said it would soon adjust the rules for Hajj and Umrah. The Ministry of Religion immediately returned to consult the operational costs of departing Umrah pilgrims and the costs of the Hajj pilgrimage to Commission VIII of the DPR.

According to the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organization, Hilman Latief, Saudi Arabia's policies will certainly have an impact on the costs of Umrah and Hajj. These policies include removing PCR and quarantine.

His party will first consult with Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Commission VIII of the House of Representatives to review the proposed cost of hajj pilgrimage 1443 H/2022 M.

"We have reported to the Minister of Religion regarding the development of Saudi policies to get further directions. We will also consult with Commission VIII of the DPR to address the development of the situation, especially regarding the easing of health protocols both in the homeland and in the Holy Land," Hilman said as quoted from the Ministry of Religion website, Tuesday, March 8.