Coronavirus: how will Hajj pilgrims be protected?


Balquees Basalom
  • English
  • Arabic

Pilgrims arriving at the holy sites in Makkah will have a unique experience of the Hajj this year.

Places that are usually crowded with people are almost empty and those who do attend must maintain strict social distancing in line with regulations to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Protocols introduced this year were outlined to The National  by Hamed Al Atebi, an official from the Makkah Health Authority.

Mr Al Atebi said this year's plan was divided into three phases: the days leading up to the ritual on Wednesday, the pilgrims' journey and the period after Hajj.

On an ordinary year, the Hajj draws up to three million visitors but this year the number of pilgrims has been capped to under 10,000 Saudi residents, to contain the outbreak.

“All those selected for this year’s Hajj have no underlying health conditions, are between the ages of 20 and 60, and all tested negative for Covid-19," Mr Al Atebi said.

During the pre-Hajj phase of the plan, pilgrims were quarantined in their homes.

On arrival in Makkah on the fourth day of Dhu Al Hijja, they were screened and remained in isolation in a hotel until the start of their Hajj journey today.

Electronic bracelets were distributed on arrival to ensure isolation was maintained.

“Every single person working in Hajj who will be in direct contact with the pilgrims, such as the health leaders, are in isolation for these days,” Mr Al Atebi said.

During last year’s Hajj, health workers were posted at eight hospitals and 93 clinics in the holy sites around Makkah.

During the five or six-day period of the Hajj, hospitals will be fully prepared to cater for the pilgrims.

There will be mobile clinics, which act as full-service health centres, and mobile hospitals with intensive-care beds.

“These mobile hospitals will accompany the pilgrims during the performance of the rituals as they move from Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah then back to Mina," Mr Al Atebi said.

This year’s pilgrims were instructed on the guidelines for Hajj 2020 during a health awareness session over Zoom on Sunday.

Each group will be assigned a health leader to accompany them round the clock to assist with health needs and ensure pilgrims are aware of the precautions and regulations in place.

Medical equipment has been placed in accommodations and thermal cameras and triage teams are ready at every point of arrival throughout the journey.

If a pilgrim shows symptoms of Covid-19, they will immediately be isolated to ensure the rest of the group can continue safely.

One of the most important parts of the ritual is Waqfat Arafat, which takes place on Thursday, in which the pilgrim must stay at the holy site from dawn to sunset.

If a pilgrim misses this, their Hajj is not recognised.

“We prepared the seasonal hospital in Arafat only for confirmed Covid-19 cases, to be able to facilitate their Hajj,” Mr Al Atebi said.

Groups will enter the holy sites at different times to ensure social distancing can be maintained.

They will be urged to wash their hands regularly throughout and masks must be worn at all times.

At the end of the Hajj, the pilgrims will go into isolation for seven days before returning to their homes across Saudi Arabia.

While you're here
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

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What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

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Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."

Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell 

Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."

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Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

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Favourite film:

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Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

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Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

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Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km

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The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

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Fighter profiles

Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)

Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.

Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)

Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.

Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)

Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.

Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)

One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.

Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)

Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.

Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)

Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.

 

The biog

Name: Fareed Lafta

Age: 40

From: Baghdad, Iraq

Mission: Promote world peace

Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi

Role models: His parents 

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Place of birth: Kalba

Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren

Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken

Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah

Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”

How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries

• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.

• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.

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• For more information visit the library network's website.

The bio

Favourite food: Japanese

Favourite car: Lamborghini

Favourite hobby: Football

Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough

Favourite country: UAE

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