KUCHING, Jan 27: The government will allow Muslims in the country to resume Umrah pilgrimages starting February 8.
According to a report from Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) today, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dato Sri Nancy Shukri said the decision was made as the government did not intend to extend the postponement of Umrah following the spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.
“The Cabinet has decided and we do not want to extend the postponement further. So on Feb 8, Umrah travel agents may continue their activities,” said Nancy when asked by reporters to comment on the matter after officiating at the Dream Malaysia videos launching ceremony yesterday.
Nancy said the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Umrah trips are still the same as before, including requiring pilgrims to take booster shots.
“There are only a few additional new SOPs for the pilgrims and this will be discusses with the umrah travel agents. So, the detailed SOP will be further discussed,” she said.
On Jan 1, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced a temporary suspension of umrah pilgrimages from Jan 8, to review and assess the risk of Covid-19 involving the Omicron variant after an increase in the said variant infections among pilgrims from Saudi Arabia. — DayakDaily
