The End Of The Year Potentially Becomes The Heaviest Phase, Epidemiologist Suggests The Government To Expand Vaccination Coverage

JAKARTA - University of Indonesia Epidemiologist Pandu Riono warned that there is a potential for an increase in COVID-19 cases during the Christmas and New Year's Day 2022 holidays.

According to him, keeping the pandemic situation under control is not easy.

"This phase is the most difficult. If you can maintain the situation until January 2022, it will be quite extraordinary, because there are challenges for the Christmas and New Year holidays," said Pandu in an online discussion on 'Public Evaluation of Pandemic Handling', Sunday, September 26.

Therefore, Pandu suggested that the government expand vaccination coverage. Followed by a policy that requires vaccination when doing activities in public places.

"PPKM with various levels, needs to be implemented as long as the pandemic is not over," said Pandu.

According to him, handling the pandemic cannot only be done by the government. So the community and local governments must play an active role in keeping the pandemic situation under control. Moreover, leveled PPKM is considered more effective.

"The handling of the pandemic cannot be done per province but must be national, the key to success is because of the national unity of movement," said Pandu.