The Malaysian Tourism and Travel Agent (MATTA) has asked the Ministry of Health (MOH) not to make any hasty decisions without notifying with regards to Umrah travel restrictions. This comes as the Health Ministry is looking to curb travels to Saudi Arabia amidst the rise in Omicron virus among those who returned after performing their Unrah. MATTA said instead of a right off ban, the Ministry should tighten the SOPs. Its Vice President of Hajj and Umrah, Haji Azri hopes that MOH can discuss to tighten the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and not only apply to religious pilgrimage travels but also to all those who are travelling. The association further added, that all Umrah travelers complied with SOP including screening test for a period of 72 hours before departure and 48 hours after return, the pilgrims were quarantined in Mecca if found positive, condcuted COVID-19 screening test again upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), and performed self -isolation at home through the MOH application. All these precautionary measures have been complied with by the travel agency it added. Haji Azri said the travel agency supported the call by MOH if there was a need for a vaccine booster for Umrah pilgrims to protect themselves from being infected. He asked the Ministry to instead streamline the system at KLIA so that pilgrims do not have to wait a long time at the airport arrival hall because all the data has been updated by all pilgrims while in the holy land. Questions were also raised on why Umrah was targeted when the number of Omicrons in the United Kingdom was much higher, citing statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating effects of Omicron are weaker than delta. MATTA is appealing to the authorities to conduct a more detailed study as to ensure the Umrah industry continues to grow. The previous postponement of Umrah has resulted in many travel agencies being forced to go bankrupt, the opening of Umrah which was allowed in October helped revive the economy.
