New Delhi, July 15: Haj pilgrims from India this year will have to compulsorily get themselves vaccinated against swine flu to avoid getting quarantined in Saudi Arabia, as per the latest requirements of the government there.
This was announced by Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor who also advised that elderly, pregnant women and children should avoid making the pilgrimage this year due to the pandemic.
“The Hajis should take suitable precautions and get themselves inoculated as they will be medically screened at the point of disembarkation. This is an advise for the pilgrims to avoid getting quarantined at the point of disembarkation,” he said at the Annual Haj Conference here.
Seasonal flu vaccination has been made compulsory and it is to be ensured that pilgrims from all over the world must take the vaccine at least two weeks before travel, the Saudi government has advised. It also said that health certificates would have to be signed by government doctors.
Tharoor said the Saudi government has intimated that the pilgrims should have international passports only, instead of any other travel document.
-Agencies