Sri Mulyani Beware Of Omicron's Impact On The Economy: We Don't Know How It Will Affect

JAKARTA - Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Sri Mulyani admitted that the current government continues to be wary of the new variant of Omicron on the impact of Indonesia's economic recovery. According to him, the government will continue to strive to maintain the momentum of economic recovery by focusing on the development of COVID-19 as a necessary condition for Indonesia to recover stronger.

"We are seeing how this omicron variant will affect, whether it will be as serious and damaging as the delta variant or lighter," he said when speaking at the World Bank forum, quoted Friday, December 17.

The Minister of Finance added that the last two years were a very difficult and unprecedented period for Indonesia. It is stated that the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over due to the emergence of various new variants that have an impact on the economy.

"This year we are very affected, as experienced by more than 130 other countries affected by the delta variant which puts pressure on the economic recovery process," he said.

However, the state treasurer ensures that the government will continue to provide fiscal support for the health sector, particularly in the vaccination program, as well as continue to be adaptive and flexible in responding to the impact of the emergence of variants.

"The government will continue to accelerate and expand the vaccination program and encourage the public to apply disciplined health protocols," he stressed.

As is known, currently President Joko Widodo has instructed that vaccinations also reach children aged 6 to 11.

"I think this is one of the keys for us to be able to continue to maintain and control Covid. On the other hand, we can also normalize or increase economic activity. This is one of the areas that the government will continue to do," closed the Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani.