Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, normally sends the largest contingent to the pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest cities, Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. It was expected to send 221,000 pilgrims this year.
Razi said pilgrimages held during past disease outbreaks resulted in tragedies in which tens of thousands of people became victims.
“In 1814 for example, when the Thaun outbreak occurred, also in 1837 and 1858 there was an epidemic outbreak, cholera outbreak in 1892 and during the meningitis outbreak in 1987,” he said.
As of Tuesday, the government has confirmed 27,549 COVID-19 cases, including 1663 deaths.
AP