Anticipating The Third Wave Of COVID-19, The Government Increases Tests To Vaccinations

JAKARTA - To anticipate the potential for a third wave of COVID-19 in Indonesia, the government continues to increase the capacity of COVID-19 tests.

"In anticipation of the third wave, testing continues to be increased", said Head of Behavior Change for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Sonny Harry B. Harmadi, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, September 28.

Second, the policy for the Implementation of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) is also still being implemented in various regions, although in some areas various community activities have been opened.

"PPKM continues to be implemented, both PPKM (Community Activity Restrictions) levels 3, 2, and 1", he said.

Then, said Sonny, socialization to encourage public compliance in implementing health protocols will still be carried out.

Sonny explained that the vaccination program continues to be accelerated even though the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia is currently sluggish.

Sonny added that the government has also tightened access from abroad to Indonesia to prevent the entry of new variants.

"Our entry points are very limited, air (access) is only at Soekarno-Hatta and Sam Ratulangi, Manado, then the land is only allowed at Entikong, Aruk, Nunukan and Motaain in Timor Leste and only two seas, Batam and Tanjungpinang", he said.

Likewise with the entry of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI). According to Sonny, the PMI immediately underwent a PCR test after arriving in Indonesia.

"The Ministry of Health has also sent a molecular rapid test (tool) so that we don't have to wait long, within an hour we can separate people who are positive (COVID-19) and those who are negative", he said.