BY Rokiah Mahmud, Adib Noor & Fadley Faisal

Haj pilgrims are discouraged from attending ceremonies or visit public places within three days of their return. They also need to do antigen rapid test (ART) for three days and report the results on BruHealth app.

Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Othman said this during a press conference on Tuesday on the health standard operating procedures (SOP) outlined for Haj pilgrims who are set to return to the Sultanate on July 16 and 17.

The minister added that only one family member is allowed to welcome the Haj pilgrim at the Brunei International Airport to avoid overcrowding and to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. “Family members, relatives and friends are advised not to visit the Haj pilgrims within three days,” he said.

Meanwhile, the minister said Haj pilgrims are required to screen for COVID daily and will only be cleared from home quarantine after three days of negative results.

“After completing the home quarantine, families can then host a Doa Selamat,” he added.

“However, event organisers and guests alike must ensure they are negative for the virus, have no symptoms and practise SOPs when participating in a gathering,” Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar reiterated.

The SOPs have been forwarded to the Haj Medical Unit, MoH; the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), the Brunei International Airport Police; Radio Television Brunei (RTB), the Haj and Umrah service operators (Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd, Straits Central Agencies (B) Sdn Bhd; and Al-Hijrah Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd.

The Minister of Religious Affairs expressed appreciation to parties under the Haj management affairs particularly the Haj and Umrah Ministry of Saudi Arabia for the success in coordinating the pilgrimage both in Madinah and Makkah with peace and security.

The Minister of Religious Affairs also reminded the public that it is their responsibility to adhere to the SOPs, outlined especially during the current Endemic Phase.

The first batch of pilgrims will depart from Saudi Arabia on July 15 on board flight BI4214 and are expected to arrive on July 16 at 8.10am; while the second batch will depart on July 16 and scheduled to land in the Sultanate on July 17 at 8.10am.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin