TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Religious Affairs Ministry's Umrah and Special Hajj Director, Arfi Hatim, confirmed that 13 umrah pilgrims from Indonesia were tested positive for COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

“Of all congregations, 13 are confirmed positive after undergoing PCR swab tests in Saudi Arabia,” said Arfi in a dialogue on safety umrah pilgrimage in times of pandemic broadcasted on BNPB YouTube channel on Wednesday, November 11, 2020.

They came from two groups; eight were listed in the first group and five were from the second group. “Alhamdulillah none is positive for COVID-19 in the third group,” Arfi added.

All pilgrims diagnosed with the coronavirus disease were treated by the Saudi Arabian government and were undergoing isolation. “They are in isolation while waiting for the next swab test. Hopefully, the result will come back negative. So they are being handled by the Saudi’s health ministry and the umrah organizer,” he explained.

The government continued to evaluate the umrah pilgrimage amid the pandemic in order to ensure they departed for Mecca and returned to Indonesia in good health, Arfi said.

He further claimed that the government has been carrying out maximum efforts to prevent virus transmission during the procession.

“We have made mitigation plans by considering all possible worst risks. This is what we need to evaluate. We hope all pilgrims depart for [Saudi Arabia] and return home in a healthy condition,” Arfi said.

Read: Undergo Covid Tests Post Umrah Pilgrimage: Pandemic Task Force

DEWI NURITA