Visas won't be issued to pregnant women and people with chronic diseases

Muslims planning to fly to Saudi Arabia for Haj will now have to carry a health certificate stating they have tested negative for swine flu.

Shoukat Tamboli, president, All India Haj Umraah Tour Organisers Association, said, "The Saudi government has made it mandatory for pilgrims to wear facemasks and produce medical certificates."

Mohammed Owais, chief executive officer of the Haj Committee, said, "The Saudi government has appealed that minors below 12 years of age and senior citizens above 65 avoid travelling this year in view of the swine flu epidemic.

We are checking all pilgrims for any symptoms of flu, but we can't vaccinate them at such a short notice from the Saudi government."

Visas won't be issued to pregnant women, people with heart, kidney, liver, lung, diabetes, obesity and hyperten- sion problems.

Owais added, "We are however waiting for an official communication from the Saudi government on the subject."
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Swine flu scare

Incidentally, on July 23, the Egyptian health ministry decided to ban children, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses from attending the Haj.

The swine flu scare, however, hasu00a0 dampened the enthusiasm of Haj pilgrims.

"There are no cancellations till date. The Saudi government's stipulations on age do not affect us because Indians prefer to go for Haj after their retirement," said Mehboob Shaikh, manager, Travel Voyages India Pvt Limited, a Haj tour operator.