"We reviewed the readiness of the Bekasi Hajj Dormitory as an alternative quarantine place for Umrah pilgrims after returning to the country," said director of domestic Hajj services at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Saiful Mujab, according to the website haji.kemenag.go.id here on Wednesday.
Currently, the organizer of the Umrah pilgrimage is still using hotels recommended by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force to quarantine pilgrims, he noted.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs will eventually designate two departure and return gates for Umrah pilgrims, he informed.
While Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory will serve as the departure gate, Bekasi Hajj Dormitory will be the quarantine location for pilgrims upon their return to Indonesia, he said.
"Later, two gates will be used, Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory for departure and Bekasi Hajj Dormitory for quarantine upon arrival," he stated.
Therefore, Bekasi Hajj Dormitory must be immediately prepared, right from the health protocols to the facilities in the rooms that the pilgrims will quarantine in, he added.
He also asked Bekasi Hajj Dormitory to prepare doctors for monitoring Umrah pilgrims round the clock.
Related news: Umrah service providers test positive for COVID-19
Earlier, the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Organizers at the Religious Affairs Ministry planned to cancel the One Gate Policy so that departures are not centralized at the Jakarta Hajj Dormitory.
However, Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, called for the continued implementation of the policy due to the detection of COVID-19 infection in the advance team after their arrival from Saudi Arabia.
"Even when we implement the One Gate Policy, there is still a case of transmission. Let alone if we do not (implement the policy). It will be very risky," the minister explained.
Related news: Indonesia waiting for confirmation for Hajj: deputy minister
Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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