This anticipatory measure will be implemented starting from the arrival at the airports, debarkation (points), and the pilgrims' homesJakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Health will implement a layered health screening system for Hajj pilgrims returning to the country as an anticipatory measure against COVID-19 transmission.
"This anticipatory measure will be implemented starting from the arrival at the airports, debarkation (points), and the pilgrims' homes," acting secretary of the ministry's Directorate General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P), Yudhi Pramono, said at the FMB9 Dialogue, accessed via YouTube here on Monday.
The ministry’s preparations for anticipating the transmission of COVID-19 will also be realized through health screening involving officers from related agencies, he added.
The Health Ministry has readied teams at airport health posts along with supporting facilities and infrastructure to anticipate pilgrim-related emergencies.
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Pilgrims will be required to show a vaccination certificate and have received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to enter Indonesia, besides undergoing a COVID-19 symptom check.
According to Pramono, Indonesia is currently experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron sub-variants. However, he affirmed that the situation is still under control and most Indonesians have good immunity as the first dose vaccination coverage in the country is already high.
"From officers, ambulances, to hospitals, we have prepared them all for the arrival of pilgrims at the airports," he said.
The Ministry of Health has also prepared health workers at Hajj dormitories, comprising officers from health offices and port health offices, to conduct screening such as body temperature checks and COVID-19 testing, among others.
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Pilgrims who test positive for COVID-19 will undergo isolation, he informed. If they are experiencing mild symptoms, they will undergo isolation at isolation centers, but if they are experiencing moderate or severe symptoms, they will be referred to designated hospitals.
For health surveillance at the pilgrims' homes, the Ministry of Health has distributed Hajj Pilgrim Health Alert Cards (K3JHs) for screening purposes.
The K3JHs contain data on pilgrims experiencing health problems who need to be taken to the nearest community health center (puskesmas) from their homes.
"We have coordinated with the health offices in the provinces, districts, and cities that will later receive the Hajj pilgrims. They will monitor the health of returning pilgrims," Pramono said.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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