Saeed Al-Khotani Saudi Gazette RIYADH – The recently detected coronavirus does not pose any threat to the health of pilgrims, Dr. Ziad Memish, Deputy Health Minister for Public Health, announced here Friday. “The virus is not yet a threat to the pilgrims. The health of pilgrims who have arrived as of today (Friday) is satisfactory, and no epidemic or any worrying disease has been detected,” he said. Dr. Memish said that the ministry is strictly screening all pilgrims at its 16 air, sea, and land ports of entry. It is also monitoring pilgrims compliance with Haj health instructions in their home countries and checking whether the appropriate vaccines have been taken. “Since the ports of entry are the front lines of defense against any passage of infectious diseases, the health authorities at these places have been provided with well-trained healthcare personnel, equipped with the latest devices to detect any symptoms of disease in pilgrims,” he said. Apart from regular medical check-ups at these points of entry, arrangements have been made to educate pilgrims through programs broadcast on TVs installed at health facilities at these places and by the distribution of printed material illustrated with pictures related to major diseases, their symptoms and the ways to prevent them, Dr. Memish said.
