Expedite probe of returning unvaccinated umrah pilgrims, says travel agents' group

PETALING JAYA: The government must swiftly complete its investigation on returning umrah pilgrims infected with the Covid-19 Omicron variant who did not have any record of vaccination, says the Selangor Association for Travel and Tourism Agencies (Saftta).

"We feel aggrieved as it has been four days since the statement was made but the Health Ministry is still investigating the matter.

"The longer the ministry takes, the worse the perception of the community will be towards (travelling for) the umrah.

"This (is evident from) social media where the community at large has blamed the pilgrims who are willing to lie to perform the umrah," Saftta president Fathir Badri Alhadad said in a statement on Monday (Jan 10).

He noted that the Saudi Arabian government has imposed strict regulations to ensure that those entering the country to perform the pilgrimage are vaccinated.

On Thursday (Jan 6), Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told a press conference that 17 out of 122 Omicron variant cases in the country did not have a vaccination history and 12 of them were among umrah pilgrims.

On Saturday (Jan 8), Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) vice president for Umrah and Haj Mohd Azri Abdul Razak urged the Health Ministry to clear the air over the issue.

MATTA expressed shock over the minister's revelation in light of the stringent requirement needed for those performing the umrah.

Fears of the high number of Covid-19 cases and Omicron variant detected among returning pilgrims led the government to impose a temporary ban on umrah activities starting Saturday (Jan 8).

Pilgrims who have just returned from the umrah must also undergo quarantine at designated hotels or government-run centres.