Omicron Detected In Indonesia, DPR Member From PDIP Party Suggests To Change Christmas And New Year's Rules

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the PDIP Party faction, Rahmad Handoyo, urged the government to immediately act quickly to change policies on the 2022 Christmas and New Year holidays. This follows the discovery of the Omicron variant in the country.

“The government must act quickly and dynamically in response to current conditions. With the discovery of this Omicron variant, we encourage a change in the rules for the Nataru holiday later," Rahmad told reporters, Friday, December 17.

"Perhaps the homecoming ban is one way to anticipate so that this variant does not spread," he continued.

The PDIP politician stated that he would fully support whatever drastic steps the government would take in responding to the findings of the Omicron variant.

"We hope that the Christmas and New Year's (Nataru) holiday where many residents travel out of town and return to their hometowns will not be a momentum for the spread of the Omicron variant. There must be a change in the rules for Nataru so that we don't miss out and a ban on homecoming, perhaps, is one way of anticipating so that the Omicron variant does not spread," said Rahmad.

The Legislator for the Central Java electoral district also asked the government to increase vigilance, especially at sea, air and land borders.

"The vigilance of our officers and task forces at sea, air, and land must of course be increased. One thing that should not be forgotten, quarantine must become a necessity with better procedures, especially with this Nataru holiday, I think the quarantine process for Indonesian citizens who want to re-enter Indonesia is absolutely necessary," said Rahmad.

The implementation of quarantine management in the field needs to be improved as a defense measure for Indonesian citizens.

"I think if we get stronger the better we will be, I'm sure we can block this Omicron variant of COVID-19," said Rahmad.