Government Gives Facilities, Assistants for Elderly Hajj Pilgrims

VIVA – The Indonesian Ministry of Transportation said that the government provides various privileges for elderly hajj pilgrims. This refers to as much as 30 percent of the number of pilgrims departing in 2023. 

In a statement from the Director of Hajj, and Umrah Health Eka Putu Cahyadi said that the elderly who will leave for Hajj this year are around 67 thousand. Elderly pilgrims will get various facilities provided by the government, starting from facilities at the Hajj hostel until they arrive in Saudi Arabia. 

"Elderly pilgrims will get special handling, starting from the Hajj hostel, and airport. Companions have been provided. Health checks are also available. So, we prioritize the elderly. Later it will be guided by service friends at the airport," Cahyadi said in a Press Briefing in Jakarta on Friday. 

In addition, Cahyadi also emphasized that prospective elderly pilgrims will get privileges, including an easy process. One of them will immediately board the plane without having to check immigration at the airport. 

"They get privileges and the process is easy, no need to wait long. Almost all embarkations, from the dormitory directly to the plane. Except for Kertajati, because the immigration process has not been prepared in the dormitory (the Hajj dormitory is still not 100 percent ready). But almost all other embarkations already have CIQ clearance at the hostel." 

He added that the government has provided a fast track for prospective pilgrims, so as not to cause queues or chaos at the airport. According to him, this facility is provided as government support for prospective pilgrims who will carry out worship. 

It is known, this immigration fast track will be felt when the pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia.