"The COVID-19 antigen screening policy, which was initially applied in random to 10 percent of the number of Hajj participants in every group, has been changed to (be implemented on) all Hajj pilgrims, who returned to Indonesia," head of the center for Hajj Health at the Health Ministry, Budi Sylvana, stated here on Wednesday.
The policy was listed in an announcement letter from the directorate general of disease prevention and control at the Health Ministry Number SR.03.4/C/3519/2022 about the changes in stipulation of the monitoring policy, which took effect as of July 15, 2022.
There is an additional policy about health protocols imposed on Hajj pilgrims, who returned to Indonesia, which had been active at every debarkation.
Sylvana explained that the measure was taken in a bid to ensure strict monitoring and conduct optimal prevention and control efforts to control COVID-19, particularly among Hajj pilgrims, who returned to the homeland.
"The Port Health Office (must) coordinate with the local Health Office about matters related to monitoring and handling positive cases (in case they were) found," he remarked.
The Health Ministry also urged the Port Health Office to work hand-in-hand with stakeholders in order to meet logistics needs as well as other aspects that might be required to conduct the health screening process.
As of July 19, the Health Ministry found 14 of the total 9,551 returning Hajj pilgrims, who tested positive for COVID-19. Of the infected ones, 13 were reported from the Surabaya debarkation, while another was reported from the Solo debarkation.
The symptoms caused by the virus were mild, so the patients were undergoing self-isolation in accordance with the eligible health protocols.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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