Director General Of Hajj: There Is No COVID-19 Test Policy For Hajj Pilgrims Returning To Indonesia

Director General of Hajj and Umrah Services at the Ministry of Religion Hilman Latief in Mecca, Tuesday (19/7/2022). ANTARA/Desi Purnamawati

MEKKAH - The Director General of Hajj and Umrah Services at the Ministry of Religion, Hilman, said that there was no COVID-19 test policy for Hajj pilgrims returning to Indonesia.

"Until now, we have not issued a test policy for all pilgrims," Hilman said in Mecca as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 19.

He said, in the initial scenario, tests might be carried out for pilgrims who are found to be sick or have symptoms that have the same indications as COVID-19.

"As long as the congregation is healthy and fit, we have not carried out any tests until now and when we arrived in Indonesia," he continued.

The Director General of Hajj said, based on a circular from the Ministry of Health that pilgrims who have returned to Indonesia to limit themselves for 21 days if there are symptoms of COVID-19, go directly to the nearest health facility.

Likewise, the health team has not implemented a policy for COVID-19 tests because according to good information from Saudi itself, there is no warning regarding the outbreak, especially COVID-19.

"While the flu-flu faced by our congregation and staff has many causes. Obviously, his sleep is not standard, he sleeps very late, he even sleeps after dawn. Then also the energy he uses to work or do other activities is not balanced with enough rest. That There are a lot of things that cause people to get the flu, stuffy nose, but more on that kind of indication. There are not too many coughs," said Hilman.

The Ministry of Health noted that as many as 14 hajj pilgrims who had returned to Indonesia from Saudi Arabia were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.

A total of 13 hajj pilgrims were reported to have contracted COVID-19 from the Surabaya Debarkation, while another was reported from the Solo Debarkation.

Symptoms arising from infection with SARS-CoV-2 that cause COVID-19 are all mild, so the patient care procedure according to the current health protocol is self-isolation.