PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry is of the view that it was nonetheless too early to impose a travel ban for the umrah pilgrimage in Mecca following a rise in Omicron variant instances, says its minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic).
He stated the ministry was at the moment monitoring case developments for the Covid-19 variant, in addition to making it necessary for these coming back from umrah pilgrimage to bear the seven-day house surveillance order (HSO) and to put on digital monitoring wristbands.
“We don’t need to make a hasty choice in limiting umrah travel.
“For the time being, regardless of the sharp improve in Omicron instances from Saudi Arabia, we (Health Ministry) ask for HSO compliance in addition to bodily non-contact with members of the family by isolating themselves of their rooms and by utilizing separate bogs,” he advised a media convention right here on Tuesday (Dec 28).
The Health Ministry on Dec 25 stated that 30 of the overall 62 Omicron instances detected in Malaysia had been imported from Saudi Arabia.
Khairy stated the ministry additionally inspired these coming back from umrah to maintain taking Covid-19 self-tests whereas present process quarantine, as there have been some instances who solely examined optimistic on the fifth day of quarantine regardless of testing destructive upon arrival.
The Health Ministry has additionally instructed umrah tour firms to make it obligatory for umrah travellers to take their Covid-19 booster photographs.
“The booster photographs are crucial particularly for high-risk teams akin to these aged above 60 and people with a historical past of comorbidities.
“These precautionary measures have to be taken because the infectivity price of the Omicron variant is excessive,” he stated, including that these measures additionally utilized to those that deliberate to travel to different nations as effectively.
On whether or not Omicron infectivity price was a supply of concern because it was way more aggressive than Delta, Khairy didn’t rule the opportunity of the federal government ordering returning umrah travellers to bear their quarantine in quarantine centres if instances obtained to a worrying degree.
“… if it will get to that, we might additionally limit travel to Saudi Arabia, however this wants prior monitoring in phases,” he stated.
On the congestion that occurred on the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Monday (Dec 27), he stated it was brought on by a scarcity of digital monitoring wristbands for returning umrah teams.
He stated the Health Ministry had instructed Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to add extra counters and staff to make sure the wristband putting in course of ran easily.
“I inspected the counters earlier at present and I used to be made to perceive that MAHB will add extra counters on Thursday,” he stated. – Bernama
