Toba Candle Operation, 11,700 Joint Personnel Secures Christmas And New Year In North Sumatra

MEDAN - A total of 11,700 joint personnel from the National Police and the TNI and government elements have been prepared for the 2021 Toba Candle Operation, in the context of securing the 2021 Christmas and 2022 New Years in North Sumatra.

The 2021 Toba Candles operation is scheduled to take place from 22 December 2021 to 2 January 2022. "Approximately 11,700 of the TNI, Polri and other agencies are prepared for security," said North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi, during an assembly to deploy troops in the framework of the 2021 Toba Candles Operation. at the TNI AU Soewondo Air Base in Medan quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 23.

The thousands of personnel will be deployed in various locations that become the object of crowds during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, including churches, shopping centers, tourist sites and other crowded points.

The personnel will also supervise the implementation of restrictions on operating hours of business locations such as entertainment venues, malls and so on which are limited to 22.00 WIB.

"Health has also been prepared at the puskesmas and poskes level. If it is too far to the puskesmas, a health post must be prepared," said Gubsu Edy.

Regardless of the series of efforts made, the community is expected to be able to reduce mobility during Christmas and New Year celebrations in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.

"The most important thing is that we work together to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic does not escalate in our area, as a result of people carrying out non-essential activities outside," continued North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Panca Simanjuntak.

The North Sumatra Police Chief appealed to the public not to be euphoric at Christmas and New Year celebrations, in order to prevent a spike in COVID-19.

"For this reason, I and Forkopimda Sumut appeal to the public not to be euphoric doing non-essential activities outside the home during this Christmas and New Year celebration," he said.