MERS Virus Does Not Deter City Pilgrims to Go Worship
Reported by Erna Martiyanti | Translated by Isa Efriadi
The horrendous Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in Saudi Arabia, that has killed thousands of people, does not deter hajj and umrah (minor hajj) pilgrim candidates from Jakarta to do worship in the holy land. For that, Hajj and Umrah Administrator as well as Jakarta Health Department are giving guidance and masks to the pilgrim candidates.
I haven’t received any information, but I think until now there are no pilgrims cancel their trip
Head of Jakarta Education, Mental, and Spiritual Bureau, Budi Utomo, said that his party keeps watching the condition in the field from hajj and umrah travel agencies in Jakarta. Thus far, there are no pilgrims canceling their trip because of this deadly virus.
“I haven’t received any information, but I think until now there are no pilgrims cancel their trip. The travel agencies and Health Department have urged the pilgrims to wear masks during their trip,” he stated, Saturday (5/10).
Returned from Umrah, 11 Jakartans Become MERS Virus SuspectsAlthough MERS virus is deadly, Utomo admitted that his party has not released warning for the citizens to cancel their umrah or hajj trip. Moreover, the central government also has not done so.
“We haven’t planned to issue prohibition and the central government also has not warned the public. Besides, we also haven’t received clear information on the amount of umrah pilgrims died because of the MERS virus,” he told.
As known, 11 city pilgrims who just returned from umrah some time ago became MERS virus suspects after they were detected by the scanner in Soekarno-Hatta Airport. They were then immediately taken to Sulianti Saroso Hospital, North Jakarta, for further examination. Fortunately, all pilgrims are declared negative from that dangerous virus. They only suffered common cough and fever.
Jakarta Health Department has warned travel agencies not to take the pilgrims to camel farm. In addition, the pilgrims are urged not to drink the milk of young camel, because the virus spreads through camel.
