Religious Affairs Minister Issues Guidelines for Umrah during COVID-19 Pandemic

Minister of Religious Affairs Fachrul Razi on 27 October 2020 issued Decree Number 719 of 2020 on Guidelines for Organizing Umrah during COVID-19 Pandemic.

“The regulation for organizing Umrah during the pandemic is ready. The policy has been discussed with Commission 8. In accordance with directive of Minister of Religious Affairs Fachrul Razi, the regulation has been discussed with related parties, including the Umrah Pilgrimage Trip Provider (PPIU), as well as related ministries and institutions, including Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transportation, and airlines,” Acting Director General of Hajj and Umrah Oman Fathurahman said in his written statement on Monday (2/11).

According to Oman, the Decree provides guidelines for organizing Umrah during the pandemic. The spirit of the regulation is to protect Umrah pilgrims according to the mandate of Law Number 8 of 2019 on the Implementation of Hajj and Umrah.

Oman said that the Decree complies with all provisions regulated by Saudi Arabia. There are also additional provisions based on advice from various ministries, especially Ministry of Health.

In terms of regulation and supervision, Oman added, Ministry of Religious Affairs is ready to organize Umrah during the pandemic.

The following are a number of guidelines stipulated in the Decree Number 719 of 2020:

Requirements for pilgrims

1. Being 18 to 50-year-old in accordance with the provisions of the Government of Saudi Arabia;
2. Having no comorbidities (in accordance with the requirements of Ministry of Health of Indonesia);
3. Signing a statement for not proceeding lawsuit against other parties for the risks arising from COVID-19;
4. Providing evidence of COVID-19 free (original PCR/SWAB test results issued by a hospital or laboratory that has been verified by Ministry of Health and is valid for 72 hours from sampling until the time of departure or according to the provisions of the Government of Saudi Arabia).

“If the pilgrims cannot fulfill the requirement for providing COVID-19 free evidence, their departure will be postponed until the requirement is met,” Oman said.

Health Protocols

1. All services to the pilgrims must follow health protocols.
2. Services to pilgrims in Indonesia must follow health protocols stipulated by Ministry of Health.
3. Services to pilgrims in Saudi Arabia must follow health protocols stipulated by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
4. The health protocols on the aircraft must follow the provisions of the prevailing aviation health protocols.
5. The PPIU is responsible for implementing the pilgrims’ health protocols in Indonesia, during the trip, and in Saudi Arabia.

Quarantine

1. The PPIU is responsible for quarantine of the pilgrims who will depart for Saudi Arabia and after arriving at Saudi Arabia;
2. The PPIU is responsible for quarantine the pilgrims after arriving in Saudi Arabia in accordance with the regulations of the Government of Saudi Arabia.
3. The quarantine is carried out for the examination process before the release of the PCR/SWAB test results.
4. The pilgrims must follow health protocols during and after the quarantine.
5. The pilgrims must follow health protocols intended for foreign travelers.
6. The quarantine may be held in Hajj dormitories or hotels designated by the Central and Regional COVID-19 Task Force.

Transportation

1. The PPIU is responsible for providing transportation facilities in quarantine location, airport of departure, aircraft transport, and Saudi Arabia.
2. Air transportation from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia and from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia is carried out by direct flights.
3. In the event that the pilgrims have registered with indirect flight and their departures have been delayed, they will be exempted from the provisions in point 2 (two).
4. The PPIU is responsible for the health, security and safety of the pilgrims in the country of transit.
5. Transportation from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia, in Saudi Arabia, and from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia must comply with COVID-19 health protocols.
6. The departure and arrival of the pilgrims can only be carried out through the international airport designated by Minister of Law and Human Rights as the international airports during COVID-19 pandemic, namely:
7. Soekarno-Hatta, Banten
8. Juanda, East Java
9. Sultan Hasanuddin, South Sulawesi
10. Kualanamu, North Sumatra

Accommodation and Meals

1. The PPIU is responsible for providing accommodation for the pilgrims, both in Indonesia and in Saudi Arabia.
2. The PPIU is responsible for providing meals for the pilgrims both in Indonesia and in Saudi Arabia.
3. The accommodation and meal services for the pilgrims are carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Government of Saudi Arabia.

Departure Quota

1. The quota during COVID-19 pandemic is prioritized for delayed departures in 1441 Hijri by complying with the requirements set by the Government of Saudi Arabia.
2. Determination of the number of the pilgrims to depart will be based on the quota provided by the Government of Saudi Arabia.

Umrah Service Fees

1. The cost of organizing the Umrah pilgrimage must follow the reference set by Minister of Religious Affairs.
2. The fees as referred to in point 1 may be added with other costs in the form of medical examinations in accordance with COVID-19 protocol, quarantine costs, or other services due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Reporting

1. The PPIU must report the planned departure, arrival in Saudi Arabia and return of the pilgrims to Minister of Religious Affairs electronically.
2. The report on the planned departure of the pilgrims must be submitted not later than 7 (seven) days before departure.
3. The report on arrival in Saudi Arabia must be submitted not later than 1 (one) day after the pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia.
4. The report of the return must be submitted not later than 3 (three) days after the pilgrims arrive in the country.
5. The PPIU must report those who have registered for the Umrah pilgrimage in 1441 Hijri and canceled their departure.

Other Provisions

1. In the event that the pilgrims have paid the Umrah fee before the decree is stipulated, the PPIU may set an additional fee.
2. For those who are not willing to pay additional fees, the following rights are granted:
3. apply for rescheduling of departure; or
4. request a departure cancellation.
5. The pilgrims who cancel their departure have the right to apply for a refund of the fees that have been paid.
6. The refund of the Umrah fee as referred to in point 3 is the amount of the service package fee after deducted by the fee paid by the PPIU to the service provider as evidenced by valid proof of payment.
7. The PPIU must return the service package fee to the pilgrims after the service providers return the service fee to the PPIU.

(PR of MINISTRY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS/UN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Lulu Wuliarti