Disposable wipes to Vitamin C pills: Here are dos and don’ts that Kashmir Hajj pilgrims should follow to keep COVID at bay

Srinagar: In view of increasing Covid cases in Saudi Arabia, the health experts in Kashmir have stressed to the pilgrims to take note of the dos and don’ts for a safe Hajj.

On June 4, the first batch of 145 Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir left for Saudi Arabia for the holy pilgrimage. The Muslim pilgrimage resumed after two years owing to the pandemic. However, the rate of Covid-19 infections has spiked in Saudi Arabia of late. 

Dr. Mir Mushtaq Spokesperson Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) said the arrangements are well in place to ensure the safety of pilgrims from the valley.

“Every year, the directorate sends a deputation of doctors and paramedics on Hajj who take care of the health-related concerns of the pilgrims. Besides, we have got all the pilgrims inoculated. We had kept a dispensary at the airport and ensured vaccination at every district/Tehsil level through Chief Medical Offers,” he said.

Mir said, besides, the pilgrims should adhere to universal guidelines on Covid. “This includes wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and practicing hand hygiene often.”

A senior doctor at DHSK said the pilgrims can take other preventive measures to ensure a fruitful, enlightening, and safe Hajj. “For example, you need to be aware of public safety, especially during tawaf and walking between Safa and Marwa. Take care not to jostle because you wish to touch the Ka’aba or other sacred iconography,” he said.

He said the pilgrims should not tire themselves out. “Don’t exert yourself too much otherwise, you won’t have the energy to perform the Hajj in good health, and might fall sick. Take Vitamin C to keep your immunity up, and bring cough drops to avoid the Hajj Cough.”

Also, the pilgrims should bring along disinfectant, and hand sanitizer and wash hands as often as they can, the doctor said. “Disposable wipes and tissues should also be used instead of handkerchiefs. Bring along a few rolls of toilet paper and extra plastic bags and ziplock bags just in case.”

It’s worth mentioning that the Saudi government recognized the potential risks associated with this event since the first novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case was detected in the country on March 2, 2020.

They devised a COVID-19 Mitigation Plan during Hajj 2020. A multidisciplinary Saudi team from governmental sectors, including the Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine, shared in the assessment, planning, execution, and success of this holy event to prevent the spread of disease.

The World Health Organization welcomed the Saudi government’s decision to protect the wellbeing and safety of pilgrims and strengthen regional and global health security. A total of 1,000 pilgrims from 160 different countries were randomly selected to perform the rituals. Of all the pilgrims, healthcare personnel, and nonmedical employees facilitating the rituals, no confirmed cases of COVID-19 were identified during or after Hajj.