Tips to avoid MERS CoV infection during Hajj from US embassy

The United States embassy in Kuwait released the following fact sheet that includes general guidelines as well as health recommendations that Muslims intending to perform Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage are advised to take concerning the outbreak of the MERS virus in Saudi Arabia:

The US Department of State wishes to inform any US citizens who may be considering travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj (approximately September 21 – 26, 2015) or Umrah, of Saudi government health recommendations concerning the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS CoV) in the country.

Hajj Fact Sheet MERS Corona Virus Advisory

The US Department of State wishes to inform any US citizens who may be considering travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj (approximately September 21 – 26, 2015) and ongoing Umrah, of Saudi government health recommendations concerning the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS CoV) in the country. The Saudi government recommends that pilgrims who have “chronic diseases such as heart, kidney, and respiratory diseases, not to forget diabetes, as well as patients with congenital and acquired immune deficiency, in addition to patients suffering from tumors, and pregnant women and children” postpone plans to participate in the pilgrimage this year. These recommendations were made by the Saudi government “to maintain the public health and ensure a safe and healthy atmosphere.” The full text of the statement may be found on the Saudi Ministry of Health website. Interested parties should review the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for additional information about the MERS CoV outbreak.
The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia, and the largest mass gathering in the world. If you are a US citizen planning a trip to the Hajj, there are a number of ways you can prepare to have a safe trip.

Travel Requirements
All Hajj (and Umrah) travel plans must be made exclusively through a Saudi government-approved travel agent in order to obtain entry, accommodation, and transportation in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
The Saudi government imposes strict penalties for people who perform Hajj without a permit. You must ensure that you have been issued a permit and that you are using an approved travel agent. According to the advertisement campaign, non-Saudis who perform Hajj without a permit face immediate deportation and a 10-year ban on returning to Saudi Arabia.
Hajj and Umrah visas are valid for travel only in the vicinities of Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah, and for travel between these cities. Unapproved travel outside of these areas may cause pilgrims problems with Saudi authorities. Hajj and Umrah (pilgrimage) visas are not valid for work or residency.
Non-Muslims are forbidden to travel to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. All pilgrims must leave Saudi Arabia after Hajj no later than the 10th of Muharram of each year (this year approximately October 24). The rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia forbid any pilgrims from staying in the country after the completion of Hajj. Umrah visas are valid for 15 days and Umrah pilgrims must comply with length of stay regulations, as well. You may be given additional information by the travel agent should the Saudi government revise its requirements (e g requiring pilgrims to depart earlier than the 10th of Muharram). Travelers must comply with Saudi government travel regulations.
The Saudi Government requires that women below the age of 45 be accompanied by a “mahram” (e g close adult, male relative such as a husband, son, father, or brother) for Hajj. Women over age 45 may travel without a mahram in an organized group, provided they submit a notarized letter of no objection from the husband, son, or brother, authorizing travel for Hajj with the named group. Travelers found violating this Saudi Government rule may face deportation by local immigration authorities.

Health
Routine immunizations for all pilgrims should be up-to-date. Hepatitis A and B and typhoid vaccines are also recommended. Although a requirement for polio vaccine does not include pilgrims from the United States, it is best to ensure full vaccination against polio before travel. Current vaccination requirements are available from the website of the Saudi Ministry of Health. Hand sanitizers, cold, diarrhea, and skin irritation medication are advisable.
Travelers must carry vaccination certificates with them for inspection by Saudi authorities at the port of entry.
Heat-related illnesses are some of the most common health issues faced by pilgrims, as temperatures in Mecca may routinely exceed 100° F during the summer and early fall. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious conditions, and travelers are advised to stay hydrated, rest, and protect themselves from the sun. Travelers experiencing symptoms of heat-related illness, including profuse sweating, chills, headache, dizziness, and nausea, should move to a cool area and seek medical attention.
Please visit the Centers for Disease Control website for further health-related information on the Hajj and information on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) (formerly called “novel coronavirus”) in Saudi Arabia.

Safety
King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah is large and modern, with special terminal facilities to accommodate hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. However, due to the extremely large number of people arriving, waiting time at the airport upon arrival during the Hajj may be twelve hours or longer.
Pilgrims should plan on a lengthy wait in hot and humid conditions before leaving the airport on their way to Makkah or Madinah. Travelers with only carry-on bags will find baggage transfer at the airport much easier than will those with checked baggage. Some Hajj pilgrims now fly directly to Madinah and proceed to Makkah by road. There is no airport in Makkah.
The Saudi authorities may not permit travelers to leave the Hajj terminal individually, only with their Hajj travel groups. The US Embassy in Riyadh and Consulates General in Jeddah and Dhahran are unable to assist with this issue.
Travelers should expect crowded conditions during the Hajj. Historically, temperatures year round in Makkah have ranged between 64 and 108 degrees Fahrenheit with even hotter temperatures possible in the summer. There are facilities providing water, public accommodations, and other amenities. Due to the large crowds, however, travelers should expect long wait times for basic amenities, especially in Mina, Muzdalifa, and Arafat.
The Hajj has been an attractive target for defrauding unsuspecting tourists. Travelers should be aware and vigilant of unscrupulous tour operators who abandon tourists, leaving them with unpaid bills, and hoteliers who demand the payment of exorbitant “hidden charges” for the return of passports. Pilgrims are urged to deal only with licensed and established tour operators. In addition, the Saudi Arabian government has been helpful, and experienced personnel are available from the government’s Ministry of Hajj in the Holy Cities area during the Hajj season. Communications facilities to contact family in the United States are available in all parts of Saudi Arabia. Internet cafés are available in all major cities. Before arriving in Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah, establish a communication routine for family and friends with whom you wish to keep in contact.
There has been an increase in the number of reported cases of pick-pocketing and other forms of theft in Makkah, particularly in the region of the Grand Mosque, and in Madinah. Pilgrims should take additional care with valuables while visiting these two areas and may consider using a money belt or under-garment pouch as a means to carry valuables.

Safe Hajj Traveler’s Check List
1. To avoid getting lost, stay with your travel group. Carry with you your travel group’s contact information, the location and telephone number of your hotel, your group’s itinerary and camp site locations.
2. Rest and sleep when you can. Hajj activities are physically and mentally demanding. Eat healthy food and take a sufficient supply of your medications.
3. Know emergency procedures and escape routes for your hotel and camp sites at Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat. Hajj is crowded. Stay calm and follow the guidance of your group leader and Saudi authorities.
4. Through your travel group, identify and review the path towards the nearest health care facilities. Identify the location of first aid kits for your travel group; carry a small first aid kit yourself.

Photographs
The Saudi authorities have issued instructions forbidding the taking of photographs (still or video, including mobile telephone photographs) at the Holy Mosque at Makkah or at the Prophet’s Mosque at Madinah. This restriction also includes the courtyards surrounding these two holy sites. Any violation of these instructions is likely to lead to the confiscation of either film and/or camera. Pilgrims’ bags are regularly checked upon entering the Prophet’s Mosque and the Holy Mosque in Makkah. Pilgrims could be denied entry if found to be carrying cameras or cell phones with cameras.

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