Covid-19, meningitis, seasonal influensa vaccines must for hajj performers

The Saudi government has made vaccines for Covid-19, meningitis and seasonal influenza mandatory for the people to perform Hajj this year to avoid any health risks.

Those who are wishing to perform hajj this year should be vaccinated against coronavirus meningitis and seasonal influenza, according to a handout from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Priority will be given to those who did not perform hajj in the past, the handout said adding that the minimum age for a pilgrim will have to be 12 years according to the terms and conditions of the Saudi authorities.

The religious affairs ministry asked the pilgrims not to submit their passports to the Ashkona hajj office as they will have to submit biometric visa applications to perform hajj this year.

The ministry will provide necessary information to the intended hajj performers timely to make the process easy.

This year, a total of 1, 27, 198 Bangladeshi people will perform hajj this year.

According to the agreement, 15,000 people will be able to perform hajj under government management while 1, 12,198 can do so under private management.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will carry 50 percent of passengers while Saudia Airlines will carry 50 percent of passengers.

Besides, the age limit for Hajj pilgrims during the pandemic has been lifted by the Saudi government, paving the way for people aged over 65 years for the pilgrims.

According to the ‘Route to Mecca initiative’ deal, all hajj pilgrims will complete their pre-arrival immigration in Dhaka.

In case of Covid vulnerable situation, the Saudi authorities can take a decision about the number of pilgrims.

This year, 70 percent of Bangladeshi pilgrims will go through Jeddah Airport while the rest 30 percent will go through Madinah airport.

Bangladeshi pilgrims will have to spend a minimum of Tk 6,83,018 to perform hajj under government management this year, around 2.21 lakh more than the previous year.

Besides, the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has announced this year’s minimum hajj package under private management at Tk 6,72, 618.