Wear masks, beware of disease transmission when welcoming returning hajj pilgrims

The Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) in Jambi Province has reminded organising committees and families of pilgrims to prioritise disease prevention measures when welcoming returning hajj pilgrims, who are scheduled to begin arriving on 16 June 2026. Majdi, Head of the Hajj, Umrah, and Hajj Services Division at the Jambi Kemenhaj Regional Office, said on Monday that vigilance towards the pilgrims needs to be heightened. According to him, the pilgrims have just completed a series of hajj rituals that brought together millions of Muslims from various countries. “The high mobility and interaction during the hajj pilgrimage potentially increase the risk of disease transmission,” he said. Majdi stated that preventive measures are an important part of maintaining the health of the committee, the pilgrims, and the families involved in the reception process. He assessed that anticipatory efforts need to be made early so that the risk of disease spread can be minimised. “We have also made various preparations ahead of the pilgrims’ arrival,” he said. These preparations include coordination meetings, joint assemblies, and technical consolidation with all elements of the committee involved in the repatriation process. Families are not permitted to pick up pilgrims directly at the Jambi Hajj Dormitory. He expressed hope that the entire repatriation process for pilgrims from Jambi Province would proceed safely, orderly, and smoothly. “We also hope that all pilgrims can return to their respective regions in good health after performing the hajj pilgrimage in the Holy Land,” Majdi said. The pilgrims in Batch BTH 13, the first batch from Jambi Province, are scheduled to arrive in Jambi on Tuesday evening (16/6).