That is correct, the regulation is still mandatory
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs Anna Hasbie emphasized that the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia still necessitates Umrah pilgrims from Indonesia to have taken the meningitis vaccination.

"That is correct, the regulation is still mandatory," she stated here, Monday.

Confusion over information regarding the vaccination requirements for Umrah pilgrims from Indonesia surfaced after Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq F. Alrabiah said that Indonesian pilgrims had privileges for their Umrah.

Alrabiah remarked that Umrah pilgrims from Indonesia had been exempted from all health requirements, including the obligation to undergo COVID-19 vaccination and meningitis vaccination.

However, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Monday stated that only the COVID-19 vaccination requirement was no longer enforced for people traveling to the Holy Land. Meningitis vaccination is still mandatory for Umrah pilgrims from Indonesia.

"The Saudi minister's statement yesterday still has to be followed up technically with various related parties, of course, after an official provision from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Hasbie remarked.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah, Eko Hartono, said that the consulate had sought clarification from the Saudi Arabian authorities regarding the meningitis vaccination requirements for pilgrims from Indonesia.

"We are seeking clarification to make it clearer," he stated.

During his visit to Indonesia, Minister Alrabiah explained about the facilities provided to Indonesian Umrah pilgrims.

The facilities include the abolition of the mahram requirement for women; extension of the validity period of the Umrah visa, from 30 days to 90 days; and the granting of permission for Umrah visa holders to visit parts of Saudi Arabia apart from Mecca and Medina.

In addition, the Government of Saudi Arabia no longer applies age restrictions for Indonesian Umrah pilgrims and presents the Nusuk integrated service platform to help Umrah pilgrims to travel to Mecca, Medina, and other parts of Saudi Arabia. (INE)

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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