JOHOR BARU: Pilgrims are advised to take extra precautions against Covid-19 so they will not miss their chance to perform the haj.

       Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad said that pilgrims should be extra careful and strictly observe Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) so they do not contract the disease.

       "They have to be extra careful, especially if they want to have any thanksgiving ceremony (majlis kesyukuran) before their flights.

       "They are welcome to conduct or attend such ceremonies but they must be very careful and observe SOP closely as such ceremonies usually involve large crowds," he said after attending the closing ceremony of a nationwide religious schools sports tournament in Arena Emas here on Sunday (June 5).

       He was asked to comment on three pilgrims who had to miss their flight on Saturday (June 4) after testing positive for Covid-19.

       "The three pilgrims who tested positive may still be able to perform the haj as the last flight to Saudi Arabia is in early July.

       "Their quarantine period would have ended by then and if they test negative, they could still make it," he said.

       The three were part of the first batch of 295 pilgrims to depart for Saudi Arabia this year.

       The last flight out from Malaysia for the haj is on July 3.