Gov’t Prepares Health Screening for Returning Hajj Pilgrims

Hajj pilgrims (PR of Ministry of Health)

In a bid to mitigate the spike in COVID-19 cases on hajj pilgrims after their return to the country, the Indonesian Government has prepared a layered health screening system.

“The screening in question includes checking body temperature using thermal scanner and thermal gun, checking signs and symptoms, and observing the pilgrims at the Hajj Debarkation Dormitory,” the Government Spokesperson for COVID-19 Handling and Ambassador for New Habit Adaptation Reisa Broto Asmoro said in a virtual press statement, Friday (07/15).

Furthermore, the Spokesperson also stated that if a pilgrim shows a symptom of fever or a potential for infectious diseases, further examination and antigen test will be carried out.

“If the result is positive, the person will be referred to a centralized isolation facility for asymptomatic or mild cases. Meanwhile, those with moderate or severe symptoms will be referred to a COVID-19 referral hospital,” Reisa said.

On the other hand, for the pilgrim who is declared healthy upon arrival and observation, the pilgrim can go home with an appeal to continue to monitor their health condition for 14 days.

Furthermore, Ministry of Health has ordered all hospitals to prepare 10 to 30 percent of their beds. “Also, to prepare several centralized self-isolation places as well as medical devices, human resources, medicines, and PPE,” Reisa said.

For the record, the return period to the country is set in two phases. The first phase is from 15 to 30 July 2022 while the second phase is from 30 July to 13 August 2022. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (FI/MMB)