MoH, Motac hope all industry players can cooperate fully to ensure that umrah can continue to be safely implemented
by AZREEN HANI / pic by AFP
THE risk assessment process and the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the umrah travel will be finalised by mid-February this year.
The Health Ministry (MoH) and the Tourism, Art and Culture Ministry (Motac) said in a joint statement yesterday that both ministers have expressed commitment to review and refine each issue as well as its recommendations before tabling the improved proposals at the upcoming Covid-19 Quartet Meeting.
“Specifically for the timeline of the reopening of the umrah journey, the two ministers committed to finalising the risk assessment process and SOPs of the umrah journey by mid-February this year,” the joint statement read.
The government is very concerned with the various challenges faced by national tourism industry players. Accordingly, both ministries hope that all industry players can cooperate fully to ensure that umrah activities can continue to be safely implemented,” it added.
The statement was issued following a meeting with the National Disaster Management Agency, National Immigration Department and members of the Association of Operating Cos Malaysian Bumiputera Tourism, Association of Travel Agencies Umrah and Haji and Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents.
According to the statement, among the issues raised by umrah travel operators were SOPs related to the implementation of umrah travel, refund issues and flight rescheduling, insurance coverage, a timeline of reopening of umrah travel and rehabilitation aid to the tourism industry.
The Malaysian Reserve reported previously that several travel agencies offering umrah packages have urged the government to reconsider its decision to temporarily suspend the permission to perform the pilgrimage.
TH Travel & Services Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Ahmad Ruzman Ahmad Razali said the suspension would result in prospective pilgrims who had made bookings and payments incurring high costs.
“The umrah visa will only be issued after travel agencies make payments which include hotel and transportation costs through the e-wallet system provided by Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry.
“If there is a delay on our part, the paid amount will not be refunded. Therefore, whatever costs that will be incurred by the pilgrims and the travel agencies should be taken into account,” he said.
Earlier this year, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar said 14% of umrah pilgrims do not have a vaccine record.
The Home Ministry admitted there was a mistake on this issue, and it is identifying which government agency will be responsible to determine the status of a fully vaccinated person at an airport before a person is allowed to travel abroad.
This has resulted in 12 returning umrah pilgrims who were tested positive for the Omicron variant upon arriving in Malaysia. They were not vaccinated, according to MoH.