The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) welcomes the statement by the Malaysian Senior Minister of Defense on the setting of a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for umrah activities effective February 14.
MATTA Umrah & Hajj Vice President, Haji Mohd Azri Abd Razak said his party was very pleased with the decision of the Quartet Meeting which allowed compulsory quarantine at residences without applying for HQA approval for pilgrims returning from Mecca and gave them the option to undergo compulsory quarantine at quarantine stations. private with the cost of accommodation, meals and treatment borne by the congregation itself.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has also announced that the quarantine period must be reduced to 5 days only for pilgrims and travelers from abroad who return to Malaysia and have completed the booster dose.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that travelers arriving in Saudi will no longer need to submit a Covid-19 vaccination certificate effective February 9. Travelers only need to submit a negative PCR result within 48 hours from the date of departure to Saudi.
MATTA recommends that all pilgrims who wish to perform Umrah must comply with the SOPs set by MOTAC and the MOH itself. MATTA also called on all prospective pilgrims to take booster doses in order to reduce the risk of being infected with the Omicron virus which is increasing at the moment and always use RTK antigens to monitor their health so that it is at an optimal level.
MATTA would also like to congratulate the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) for conducting an engagement session with members of the MATTA travel agency. Thanks are also extended to MOTAC and MOH for allowing the reopening of Umrah activities which started on February 8.
With the reopening of Umrah, it is hoped that it will shine so that the Umrah industry continues to drive forward for the sake of balance in the economic sector and provide benefits to all prospective Umrah and Hajj pilgrims in Malaysia.
