Of the more than 100 thousand Hajj pilgrims, almost 100 percent have received boosters. Although the requirements are only for doses 1 and 2, in Indonesia, there have been intensive booster programs at 13 embarkation points, including Aceh, Medan, anJakarta (ANTARA) - The COVID-19 situation in Indonesia on July 16-30, 2022, would determine the mitigation efforts to be taken by the government while welcoming the Hajj pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia, the COVID-19 Handling Task Force stated.
"We must be able to anticipate the return of Hajj pilgrims reaching 100 thousand people from Saudi Arabia," Head of the Health Support Sub-Section for the Emergency Division of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Alexander K. Ginting, noted during the FMB9 dialogue, Monday.
In the last few days, the rate of active COVID-19 cases in Indonesia had reached nearly 20 thousand, with a daily case rate of over 2,500 patients, he pointed out.
However, Ginting remarked that the mortality rate is relatively small, and the Bed Occupancy Ratio (BOR) was also low as compared to the peak of the 2021 Delta variant.
Currently, the COVID-19 Task Force Team is observing the COVID-19 situation in Indonesia, especially during the return of Hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia in the next two weeks to consider apposite mitigation strategies.
Ginting is optimistic that the right mitigation strategy would reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission by pilgrims.
"They came back from the crowded area, and until now, the Saudi Arabian government said there were still COVID-19 cases in there," he stated.
However, Ginting said that almost 100 percent of the Indonesian Hajj pilgrims had received the booster vaccine. Indonesia had also complied with the request of the Government of Saudi Arabia regarding the provision of full-dose vaccination, or two doses, for Hajj candidates aged 65 years, who have suffered from COVID-19, and negative results of the COVID-19 health examination before their departure to Saudi Arabia.
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"Of the more than 100 thousand Hajj pilgrims, almost 100 percent have received boosters. Although the requirements are only for doses 1 and 2, in Indonesia, there have been intensive booster programs at 13 embarkation points, including Aceh, Medan, and others," Ginting stated.
In addition, the Task Force urged the Hajj companion team to be selective in checking the health of returning pilgrims. This is especially to monitor their return safely without COVID-19 symptoms.
Pilgrims exhibiting symptoms, such as sore throat, cough, runny nose, influenza, or fever, must undergo examination and receive assistance in Saudi Arabia until they are declared healthy.
Ginting said the symptoms of COVID-19 could also likely occur during their return to Indonesia.
"If they suffer from the symptoms at home and are declared positive for COVID-19, then they must undergo self-isolation unless there is worsening of the condition and presence of comorbidities, then in that case, they need to be hospitalized," he elaborated.
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At the same event, Acting Secretary of the Directorate General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Ministry of Health, Yudhi Parmono, stated that the health protocols for pilgrims on their return refers to the Task Force Circular Letter for COVID-19 Handling Number 22 of 2022 concerning Overseas Travel Health Protocols that is valid on July 8, 2022.
"Foreign Travelers (PPLN) are required to show a certificate and receive at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, at least 14 days before departure to enter Indonesia. PPLN must also undergo a COVID-19 symptom check," he remarked.
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Parmono stated that Indonesia was currently experiencing an increasing trend of COVID-19 cases, chiefly of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.
However, the general situation is still under control and most members of the public have good immunity due to the high coverage of the complete dose of vaccination.
"The vaccination target has reached 81 percent, including the booster vaccination, which has reached more than 24 percent," he remarked.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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