Luhut Worries, Next Week's Long Holiday Will Trigger An Increase In New COVID-19 Cases

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan admitted that he is worried that new cases of COVID-19 transmission will soar during the long holiday at the end of this month.

Currently, said Luhut, the United States and Europe are facing the problem of the second wave of the spread of COVID-19. For that, he asked, all ministries to implement and put forward health protocols, in order to avoid Indonesia experiencing the same thing as the two countries.

"This is a long holiday next week. I am frankly very worried. I tell my friends to remind the minister to maintain health protocols," he said at the Indonesian Listed Companies Association (AEI) event entitled 'Outlook 2021', Wednesday, October 21.

As is known, Luhut has been assigned by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) some time ago to reduce COVID-19 cases in eight provinces with the highest transmission rates. He said he had implemented three strategies to fulfill the president's duties.

The strategy that Luhut refers to is behavior change and early detection of the spread of COVID-19. Second, construction of quarantine and isolation centers. Third, COVID-19 care management.

Previously, the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lt. Gen. Doni Monardo reminded the implementation of the health protocol for preventing COVID-19 during the long holiday next week. Doni continues the message of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)

"The President reminded us that soon we will face a long holiday, and usually long holidays will cause problems for our health. COVID-19 cases are increasing, as happened at the end of July," he said, in Cisarua, Tuesday, October 20.

Doni said President Jokowi was worried that the spike in COVID-19 cases that peaked in a number of major cities on Java Island in early September 2020 would be repeated.

"We must be able to organize ourselves. During a long vacation there will be no harm. Holidays must be safe and comfortable without crowds. Our momentum is here to invite people to really comply with health protocols. Wear masks, keep your distance, avoid crowds, and wash. hands as often as possible, "he said.

However, Doni is grateful for the hard work of all elements, such as the TNI-Polri and volunteers to be able to reduce traffic again for additional COVID-19 cases.

"With the hard work of all components, both at the central and regional levels, assisted by all elements in the TNI, Polri, volunteers of course, as well as religious and community leaders, positive cases of COVID have slowed down," he said.