Covid-19: Cost of hotel quarantine for returning pilgrims too high, says Anwar

PETALING JAYA: The government needs to address the high cost of hotel quarantine for those returning to the country after performing the umrah, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Opposition leader said there were complaints from pilgrims who had just returned from their umrah recently and were forced to pay large sums due to the cost of quarantine at designated centres set by the government.

"This will surely involve a high cost to pay for the quarantine and it will burden them. The government or the relevant ministry must be quick to resolve the issue," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 4).

Umrah pilgrims returning to Malaysia are required to undergo a seven-day surveillance and observation order at quarantine centres.

On Saturday (Jan 1), Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said umrah pilgrimages for Malaysians will be temporarily suspended from Jan 8, while returning pilgrims would be subject to mandatory quarantine at designated centres from Monday (Jan 3).

Umrah returnees will also have to perform a Covid-19 RT-PCR detection test two days prior to their departure date from Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, they will also have to undertake an RT-PCR test on the day of arrival, said Khairy.

"If symptomatic, they must undergo a Covid-19 detection test using RTK Ag self-test. Returnees must also conduct the RT-PCR test on day five," he had announced.