Governor Edy Will Limit Mobility In North Sumatra Ahead Of Christmas-New Year

MEDAN - The North Sumatra Provincial Government will limit community mobility and improve health protocols and COVID-19 vaccinations ahead of Christmas and the new year.

"In addition to avoiding an increase in COVID cases as in 2020/2021, we also anticipate wave three," said North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi in a meeting with National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo and TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, November 3.

Restrictions on community mobility include not allowing leave for workers on religious holidays to reduce mobility.

Governor Edy said that during Christmas and New Year's 2010/2021, there was an increase in COVID-19 cases in North Sumatra after religious holidays with a peak on February 10 with 224 cases per day.

"The North Sumatra Provincial Government does not want to repeat an incident like 2020/2021. Therefore, anticipation must be carried out, such as restrictions on mobility," he said.

In addition to restrictions on mobility, the North Sumatra Provincial Government will take steps to increase COVID-19 vaccination in the community and tighten health protocols.

Increased COVID-19 vaccination, especially in areas with low coverage.

Based on data from the North Sumatra COVID-19 Handling Task Force, so far the achievement of the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination has reached 5,409,845 (47.37 percent) and the second dose of 3,349,898 (29.33 percent).

Governor Edy admitted that there are still 16 regencies/cities whose vaccination achievement is still below 40 percent, including Tanjungbalai City, Padangsidimpuan, Labuhanbatu Regency, Central Tapanuli, North Padanglawas, Deliserdang, Asahan, North Labuhanbatu, Mandailingnatal.

Then, South Tapanuli, Padanglawas, Langkat, South Nias, South Labuhanbatu, West Nias, and North Nias.

"The North Sumatra Provincial Government will continue to increase efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 ahead of Christmas and the New Year," he said.

Meanwhile, the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, said he would increase the supply of vaccines for North Sumatra because there are still areas whose vaccine coverage lags behind other regions.

According to him, vaccination really helps reduce the risk of death and is critical for people exposed to COVID-19.

"In addition to preventing the spread, vaccination is very influential in reducing the risk of death and is critical for people exposed to COVID-19. So vaccinations must be increased," he said.