Saudi Reopens Umrah Pilgrimage; Check the Quota, Health Protocol, and Cost
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30 October 2020 06:05 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reintroduced the umrah pilgrimage starting October 4. Indonesia is one of the countries that are able to send its pilgrims to the Holy Land in the near future.
Saudi government set several regulations related to the safety and comfort of the pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Citing the issuance from Indonesian Hajj, Umrah and In-Bound Association or Asphurindo, Saudi and Indonesian governments have come up with several new policies regarding the pilgrimage, as follow:
- Indonesia is now able to perform the Umrah pilgrimage under the quota of 800-1000 per day.
- The Umrah visa service will reopen on November 1.
- The pilgrims will only be transported on Saudi Airlines (SV) once-a-day-flight bound for Jakarta-Jeddah-Jakarta (SV817 – SV816).
- The pilgrims allowed for umrah must be between 18-50 years old.
- The pilgrims must take the PCR test 72 hours or three days before the departure from and to Jakarta.
- The pilgrims must have complete travel insurance.
- The pilgrims will have to quarantine for three days at a Saudi hotel.
- The pilgrims are obliged to stay at a room for two in a three or five-star hotel in Saudi.
- The pilgrims are only allowed to perform umrah once.
- The pilgrims are allowed to take prayers at Masjid al-Haram by registering through the I’tamarna app.
- Bus capacity is limited to only 20 pilgrims.
- The pilgrims must be guided by tour leaders from Saudi (Saudi citizens).
- There is an increase in visa, hotel, and transportation costs.
- Umrah package cost is increased due to the hike in tax in Saudi Arabia.
- One visa order consists of 50 people.
- Worldwide visa quota is 10,000 per day.
“The tight regulation from Saudi Arabia will affect the costs of the Umrah package during the Covid-19 pandemic. The prices will go back to normal once the condition returns to normal,” as stated by the issuance signed by Asphurindo central board on October 28.
Read: Ministry Preps Mitigation Plan for Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimages in 2021
Rini Kustiani