The government has prepared health screening guidelines for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia to anticipate a surge in coronavirus infections, government spokesperson for COVID-19 handling, Dr. Reisa Broto Asmoro, has informed.
“The screening will include body temperature checking through a thermal scanner and thermal gun, checking and observing pilgrims’ symptoms and health condition at the Debarkation Hajj Dormitory,” Asmoro, who is also the Ambassador for New Habit Adaptation, said in a press statement, which was accessed on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel from Jakarta on Friday.
Pilgrims showing symptoms such as fever or potential for infectious diseases will be taken for further examination and antigen swab tests, she informed.
“If the results are positive, they will be referred to a centralized isolation facility for asymptomatic cases or mild symptoms. Meanwhile, those with moderate or severe symptoms will be referred to a COVID-19 referral hospital,” Asmoro disclosed.
Meanwhile, pilgrims who are declared healthy upon arrival and during observation will be allowed to return home with a reminder to continue to monitor their health for 14 days, she said.
As another anticipatory step, the Ministry of Health has instructed all hospitals to prepare 10–30 percent of bed capacity to handle sick pilgrims.
“Then, also prepare a number of centralized self-isolation places, as well as the preparation of medical devices, human resources, medicines, and personal protective equipment (PPE),” Asmoro said.
Hajj pilgrims will return to the country in two phases: the first phase will be from July 15 to 30, 2022, and the second from July 30 to August 13, 2022.
The Religious Affairs Ministry has prepared 13 disembarkation points to welcome Hajj pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia.
The 13 disembarkation points are in Aceh, Medan, Padang, Jakarta, Solo, Banjarmasin, Balikpapan, Makassar, Lombok, Batam, Surabaya, Palembang, and Bekasi.
Source: Antara News