In an effort to thwart the spread of the dreaded MERS corona virus, Saudi Arabia had urged those Muslims that are chronically ill and belong to the elderly group to cancel their haj pilgrimage travel plans this year. So far, a total of 38 cases related to the disease had been recorded in the Arab nation.
Khalid al-Mirghalani, spokesman of the Health Ministry, was quoted saying that the ministry will not grant haj visas this year to the elderly and people with diabetes and other chronic diseases involving the heart, kidney, and respiratory system. The drive did not indicate any age limit either. Children, expectant mothers, and those who have been diagnosed with immune deficiency are likewise included in the list.
Quarantine regulations were also laid down by the ministry as reported in the Saudi-based news publication Arab News. According to the regulation, people bound for the holy cities of Medina and Mecca should secure a valid certification on anti-meningitis vaccination at least 10 days before their intended departure date. The same measure applies to those pilgrims who would come from countries where polio cases had been on the rise. They are therefore advised to secure the necessary anti-polio vaccination health certificate.
The ministry is also looking at the possibility to include an anti-influenza vaccination as an optional health requirement in its precautionary move against flu infections.
Pilgrims are advised to observe proper personal hygiene practices such as washing their hands before eating and throwing away of disposable shaving kits. They are encouraged to wear cloth-made masks when joining various haj rituals in order to avoid contracting respiratory infections.
Saudi’s decision to restrict the issuance of haj visas came after emergency talks on the SARS-like MERS corona virus had been convened by the World Health Organization. It aimed to provide protection to those who are travelling to the kingdom.
A total of 65 MERS-related infection cases had been recorded in Saudi Arabia which makes up the total worldwide record of 81 infections and 45 fatalities.
