Task Force: Healthy Hajj Pilgrims Don't Need Quarantine When Returning To Indonesia

PIXABAY ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 Handling Task Force does not apply quarantine provisions for pilgrims arriving in Indonesia as long as their body conditions are declared healthy based on the results of screening at the airport.

"When they arrive in Indonesia, because all hajj pilgrims have carried out basic vaccinations and most of them have been boosted (boosted doses), of course, if you don't have symptoms, you can just pass," said Head of the Health Support Sub-Section for the Emergency Division of the COVID-19 Task Force, Alexander K. Ginting, as quoted by ANTARA. , Monday, July 11th.

This provision was different from the departure of prospective pilgrims who were then required to self-quarantine for a week before their departure to the Holy Land.

According to Alexander, the policy at the time of departure was motivated by a request from the Government of Saudi Arabia that all prospective hajj candidates be declared negative for 3x24 hour RT-PCR results.

"This, of course, must be thoroughly prepared so that it will not disturb the flight crew," he said.

Even though when he arrived in the country on July 16-30, 2022, quarantine provisions were not enforced, he said, the health team at the hajj dormitories continued to conduct health screenings to ensure the health conditions of the hajj pilgrims.

If the results are positive with mild symptoms, they will continue with the self-isolation procedure. If the symptoms are moderate to severe due to comorbid factors, they will be referred to the hospital.

Alexander said that monitoring of health protocols in picking up hajj pilgrims at airports and dormitories needed to be well organized in order to prevent uncontrolled transmission.

"What we are worried about is the crowd in the pick-up area or at the congregation's house. This activity must be controlled with PPKM procedures and provisions," he said.

Previously, health authorities in Saudi Arabia reported the addition of hundreds of daily cases of COVID-19 in recent days. Even as of June 24, 2022, there were 927 new cases.