TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chairman of the Association of Indonesia Hajj and Umrah Organizers (Amphuri) Firman M. Nur asked the government to relax quarantine rules for umrah pilgrims returning to Indonesia so as not to burden them financially.

Firman proposed three quarantine options. “We are trying to have a dialogue with the COVID-19 Task Force, which is facilitated by the Religious Affairs Ministry. We have a meeting and ask for the quarantine for umrah pilgrims to be of concern because this religious trip is monitored tightly,” said Firman on Thursday, December 2.

He outlined that the first option is to allow pilgrims to undergo self-quarantine at their homes under social supervision from neighbors or the family. The second option is allowing pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia to undergo quarantine for a few days, such as three days, and self-quarantine at home for the remaining mandatory quarantine period.

The third option, meanwhile, is for the government to provide free quarantine facilities. “Because they have been waiting for two years [to go for umrah pilgrimage]. When they return (to Indonesia), we don't want them to be disappointed twice,” said Firman.

He explained these options have taken into account various factors. Among them were tight monitoring during the trip and RT PCR tests taken before departure and upon arrival in Indonesia.

The government decided to extend the quarantine period for foreign nationals and Indonesian citizens entering the country to ten days following the presence of the new coronavirus variant B1.1.529 or known as Omicron.

Read: Saudi Arabia Prioritizes Indonesia for Hajj and Umrah, Says Minister Yaqut

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA