Omicron Variant Enters Indonesia, Jokowi: Be Alert But Don't Panic

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked the public not to panic in response to the COVID-19 variant of the Omicron which has now entered the country. Moreover, until now there is no evidence that this variant endangers the lives of patients, especially those who have been vaccinated.

This was conveyed by Jokowi through a video description posted on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube. The statement was uploaded after Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin announced the discovery of a positive case of COVID-19, the Omicron variant.

"It is important to be vigilant but don't let this development make us panic. So far the Omicron variant has not shown any character that endangers the lives of patients, especially patients who have received the vaccine," Jokowi said in his statement, Thursday, December 16.

Jokowi asked the public to immediately get a COVID-19 vaccine. Especially for those who have never been vaccinated to avoid the danger of transmitting the virus.

"I ask residents who have not received the vaccine twice, especially those who have not been vaccinated at all, immediately go to health facilities to get the vaccine," he said.

Not only that, Jokowi asked the public to continue implementing health protocols. Everyone is asked to wear a mask, keep a distance, and wash their hands frequently to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"For the regional government, I ask that testing and tracing of close contacts be intensified again, to be increased again," he said.

This step, said Jokowi, is important to do to keep conditions in the country conducive in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, currently the number of active cases and the transmission rate are low.

"We must try to keep the situation in Indonesia good. We keep the number of active cases low, we monitor the transmission rate so that it stays below 1 and don't let it spike again," he concluded.