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The annual Hajj pilgrimage, a world gathering attracting over 1.8 million members final 12 months1, is anticipated to happen in Saudi Arabia from 14 to 19 June 2024. Due to the massive scale of the occasion, making certain the health and safety of all pilgrims requires a deal with preventive measures. Meningococcal illness has been reported in travellers coming back from Saudi Arabia, highlighting the significance of adhering to the necessities. International SOS, the world’s main health and safety companies firm, encourages organisations with staff taking part within the Hajj pilgrimage to guarantee their workforce is conscious of important precautions for a secure and wholesome non secular journey.
Aligned with the most recent health and safety laws established by the Saudi Arabian authorities, International SOS has developed a complete guideline targeted on making certain pilgrims’ health, safety and wellbeing. The guideline outlines essential pre-travel concerns together with a number of newly applied necessities. It highlights the official allow and vaccination necessities, warmth mitigation methods in addition to selling vigilance and consciousness of environment to guarantee particular person safety, notably throughout crowd surges.
Dr Nosa Aihie, Regional Medical Director, Middle East, at International SOS, mentioned:“It is important for pilgrims to adhere to vaccination requirements listed by the government of Saudi Arabia to protect themselves and their peers from various infectious diseases. This includes the required vaccination against meningitis administered no more than three years and at least ten days prior to the planned arrival in Saudi Arabia. In line with this, pilgrims are advised to carry valid health certificates stating they are free from any acute, chronic or infectious diseases. Furthermore, we suggest scheduling activities to avoid peak heat hours whenever possible and being adequately hydrated during Hajj, as pilgrims may experience heat-related illnesses and dehydration.”
Gulnaz Ukassova, Security Director at International SOS in Dubai, pressured the necessity for thorough pre-travel preparation and compliance with authorities directives, stating: “It is vital for pilgrims undertaking Hajj to thoroughly understand and comply with the relevant Hajj regulations prior to, and during, the pilgrimage. Pilgrims should expect large crowds at religious sites, particularly on the Jamaarat Bridge in Mina and around Al-Masjid Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca. Remain safe during crowd surges by staying alert to surroundings, adhering to designated lanes, avoiding walking against the direction of traffic and knowing the nearest emergency exits and evacuation routes. Pilgrims should also account for potential travel disruption and increased demand for various services during this period.”
Hajj 2024 health and safety pointers for organisations and their workforce to make sure the health and safety of pilgrims:
- Encourage staff endeavor Hajj to receive vaccinations and health certification:All pilgrims are required to have proof of meningococcal illness vaccination. Ensure all routine vaccinations, together with COVID-19 and seasonal influenza are up to date. Depending on their nation of origin, travellers could also be required to present proof of polio and yellow fever vaccination.
o Registration on the ‘Sehaty’ app is obligatory to confirm vaccination standing and facilitate entry into the nation for all pilgrims.
- Ensure compliance with laws: Encourage staff to all the time observe steerage supplied by licensed Hajj operators for a secure and organised pilgrimage. Ensure they adhere to designated time slots allotted by authorities to assist minimise overcrowding dangers.
- Offer safety briefings and heightened situational consciousness:Provide pre-departure briefings on safety protocols, situational consciousness practices and cultural sensitivities. Develop contingency plans to tackle potential journey disruptions throughout the Hajj.
- Educate staff on dangers of maximum temperatures:To mitigate the consequences of probably excessive temperatures, pilgrims ought to prioritise staying hydrated. Choosing light-weight and light-coloured clothes helps regulate physique temperature and reduces warmth stress.
- Ensure crowd and emergency preparedness:Provide staff with crowd administration information with ideas for navigating densely populated areas. Encourage pilgrims to save emergency contact info for police, ambulance companies, embassy officers and native contacts on their cellphones in case quick help is required.
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