"According to a report from the Hajj Organizing Committee (PPIH) in Saudi Arabia, today, the number of pilgrims who arrived in Jeddah is 3,206. Thus, the total number of pilgrims who have departed to Saudi Arabia is 49,152," Spokesperson for the ministry's PPIH Akhmad Fauzin said at a press conference on the Hajj pilgrimage implementation here on Monday.
Fauzin informed that the 3,204 pilgrims who left on Monday were part of the second phase of Hajj departure, and they will arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
They are scheduled to perform the obligatory Umrah worship and other worship activities until they perform the rite of wukuf in Arafat.
He further explained that the pilgrims who departed on Monday were spread into eight batches and six embarkation points: Banjarmasin, Jakarta-Pondok Gede, Lombok, Medan, Solo, and Surabaya.
Related news: Additional 200 Hajj officers support services for Indonesian pilgrims
He informed that so far, 160 Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have reported sick. Of the 160 pilgrims, 54 had to receive outpatient care, 98 were treated at the Indonesian Hajj Health Clinic (KKHI), and eight were treated at Saudi Arabia's hospital.
Seven Indonesian Hajj pilgrims have died so far, he added.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is continuously reminding pilgrims to limit outdoor activities, wear footwear, drink water regularly, and maintain their health by eating on time and getting sufficient rest.
This year, Saudi Arabia has allowed one million pilgrims from various countries to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. Indonesia has been allotted a quota of 100,051 for the pilgrimage.
Although it has given permission for foreign pilgrims to perform Hajj, Saudi Arabia has laid down two conditions for them this year. First, the pilgrims must not be older than 65 years and must have received the full dose of any COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Saudi Health Ministry.
Second, pilgrims traveling from abroad must carry a certificate showing a negative PCR result, with the test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.
Related news: Minister meets UAE President, Saudi Arabia Prince to discuss hajj, G20
Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
