PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has decided to allow umrah pilgrimages for Malaysians to resume on Feb 8, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

       According to Bernama, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said the decision was made as the government did not intend to extend the suspension period that came into effect on Jan 8 following the spread of the Omicron variant.

       "Earlier, we (the Cabinet) had made the decision that we do not want to prolong (the suspension period) so when Feb 8 comes, the umrah tourism agents can continue their umrah activities," she told reporters on Wednesday (Jan 26).

       Nancy said that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the travel permits were the same as before where, among others, the pilgrims will be required to take their booster doses.

       "The SOPs are the same. There are only a few new SOPs for the pilgrims and that will be discussed with the umrah tourism agents. So a detailed SOP will be further discussed," she said.

       The government had temporarily suspended Umrah pilgrimages on Jan 8 onwards for a month due to concerns over the Covid-19 Omicron variant.

       Pilgrims who had returned from umrah too were required to undergo quarantine at designated hotels or government-run quarantine centres.