Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Hajj pilgrims are scheduled to begin returning home on July 15, 2022, an official from Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Organization of the Religious Affairs Ministry said.
He informed that they will fly from Jeddah to Indonesia gradually, starting July 15, 2022, while the Religious Affairs Ministry has prepared 13 disembarkation points in Indonesia to welcome them home from Saudi Arabia.
The 13 disembarkation points are in Aceh, Medan, Padang, Jakarta, Solo, Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, Makassar, Lombok, Batam, Surabaya, Palembang, and Bekasi.
"We hope everything will run well until the pilgrims arrive at their respective homes," Head of the Sub-Directorate for Regular Hajj Documents and Equipment at the Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Organization of the Religious Affairs Ministry Zainal Ilmi said in a written statement received here on Tuesday.
The ministry will conduct body temperature checks on each pilgrim upon their arrival at the embarkation points, Ilmi informed.
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Pilgrims with a body temperature above 37 degrees Celsius will be handled by the COVID-19 Task Force for further examination.
Daily executive secretary to the director-general of Hajj and Umrah organization, Waryono Abdul Ghafur, advised the committee to re-check the facilities that have been prepared to bring comfort to the pilgrims.
"For example, the bus provided to take the pilgrims home must be confirmed and in good condition," Ghafur reminded.
He also asked the related parties to check the bus drivers' health. He said that this would minimize any issues on the road, such as a tire burst or a sleepy driver.
"This needs to be considered because it can hinder the smooth journey of pilgrims," Ghafur emphasized.
In addition, officers also need to remind pilgrims to keep an eye on their belongings on the way back from Saudi Arabia.
"Please make sure to keep an eye on the pilgrim's belongings. Do not (let them) get mixed up or lost. The committee must check to make sure no baggage is left at the airplane or the airport. Also, make sure the baggage is picked up and distributed the same day as the pilgrims' arrival to reduce the loss potential," he said.
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Reporter: Asep Firmansyah, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
