Umrah trips to resume Feb 8 - minister
The cabinet today decided to allow Muslims to resume umrah pilgrimages from Feb 8, said Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri.
She said the decision was made as the government did not intend to extend the postponement period of umrah trips which came into effect on Jan 8 following Omicron Covid-19 variant infections.
“The cabinet decision was made just now. We do not want to...
The cabinet today decided to allow Muslims to resume umrah pilgrimages from Feb 8, said Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri.
She said the decision was made as the government did not intend to extend the postponement period of umrah trips which came into effect on Jan 8 following Omicron Covid-19 variant infections.
“The cabinet decision was made just now. We do not want to extend the suspension further so on Feb 8 umrah travel agents can continue their umrah activities,” she said.
She was speaking to reporters when asked to comment on the matter after officiating the Dream Malaysia videos launching ceremony in Kuala Lumpur today.
According to Nancy, the standard operating procedure (SOP) for umrah trips is still the same which among others makes it compulsory for pilgrims to take booster jabs.
“The SOP is still the same. There are only a few new SOPs for them (pilgrims) and that will be discussed with the umrah travel agents. So, a detailed SOP will be discussed further,” she said.
On Jan 1, the government decided to temporarily suspend all umrah trips from Jan 8 over fears of the high number of Covid-19 Omicron variant cases among those returning from Saudi Arabia.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin was quoted as saying a risk evaluation of the Covid-19 situation involving the variant at home and abroad, especially in Saudi Arabia, would be done periodically for the government to re-allow umrah activities.
- Bernama
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