I have asked them, to allow those who are already on the flight and ready to land to perform the Umrah, although they have to pass health checks
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has requested Saudi Arabia to allow Indonesians into the country who have already landed or about to land in the kingdom to perform Umrah (minor hajj), Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said.

The request was made following the decision of Saudi Arabia to suspend entry to pilgrims from foreign countries, including Indonesia, coming for Umrah, in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

"We can understand the temporary policy imposed by the Saudi Arabian government. According to our ambassador in Saudi Arabia, the policy took effect immediately after the announcement," Marsudi said at the Presidential Palace here Thursday.

The policy would affect Indonesians who are already on the flight and will soon land in Saudi Arabia, she said.

"I have asked them, to allow those who are already on the flight and ready to land to perform the Umrah, although they have to pass health checks," she added.

There was no further information from Saudi Arabia, whether or not Indonesians who have already landed could continue to perform Umrah.

The government has ordered all representatives in the Middle East to monitor the possibility of Indonesians who had to terminate their journey in transit due to the policy.

For Umrah pilgrims who are already in the kingdom before the policy was taken, they are allowed to continue.

Nearly seven million Umrah pilgrims visit Saudi Arabia each year, the majority of whom arrive at airports in Jeddah and Madinah.

Given the widespread outbreak of COVID-19, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia has officially temporarily suspended the Umrah pilgrimage services for residents from outside the kingdom.

"The entry of non-Saudis into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Umrah and other visits have been suspended as well as the temporary suspension of visa issuance," Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah for Umrah Affairs of Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz bin Wazzan noted in a statement from the Saudi Arabian Hajj Ministry.

"The ministry has also confirmed to Umrah companies and foreign travel agents that they cancel bookings since the time of this announcement until further notice," Abdulaziz stated.

The policy was adopted as part of the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to stave off the entry of COVID-19, he explained. (INE)



Translator: Rangga Pandu, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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