The Ministry of Health (MoH) has forwarded the Arab health ministers' anti-swine flu recommendations to the higher authorities, on banning vulnerable groups like the elderly, pregnant women and young children from the Haj pilgrimage, said Dr. Ziad Memish, Director of the MoH Preventive Health Department. Speaking during a joint press briefing here Saturday with Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeah, Dr. Memish said it is up to the higher authorities to decide on whether to issue a ban on elderly pilgrims (above 65 years of age), pregnant women and children below 12 years old. The recommendations were adopted by the Arab League Health Ministers conference held recently in Cairo. Dr Memish said Saudi embassies and consulates abroad are endorsing Haj visas at present regardless of the recommendations. “It is each country's prerogative whether to allow or prevent their citizens from coming to the Haj and Umrah,” he said, referring in particular to Iran, Tunis and Jordan that might restrict their citizens from going for the Haj.
