Indonesia Reviews Haj Pilgrimage Policy Due to Mers Virus

Batam, Riau Islands (Antara) - Indonesia's policy of prioritizing the journey of 80-year-old haj pilgrims to the holy city of Mecca will be reviewed to anticipate the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus, a government official said. "The evaluation of this policy is important to save our vulnerable haj pilgrims from being infected by the MERS virus," Director General for haj and minor haj at the Religious Affairs Ministry Anggito Abimanyu said here on Wednesday. To help all the Indonesian pilgrims during this year's haj pilgrimage season, they will be given free hygiene packages containing such items as masks, rubber gloves, and tissues, when they are in the embarkation points, he said. With these hygiene packages, they are expected to keep themselves healthy and clean during the whole process of haj practices, he said. As a result of the MERS virus threat, the Saudi Arabian Government had reduced the quota of Indonesian haj pilgrims up to 20 percent, Anggito Abimanyu added. "Our minor haj pilgrims less than 12 years or more than 65 years need to remain cautious. It is good if they delay their trips, but this is just a suggestion," he said. The first case of the MERS virus was reported in 2012, but the number had increased to 531. At least 169 patients had reportedly died of this virus. (*) Reported by Jannatun Naim