Jokowi Raises Vigilance About COVID-19 Omicron Variant, Luhut Quick Action Bans Foreigners From Africa And Hong Kong From Entering Indonesia

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The latest variant of COVID-19 B.1.1.529 or Omicron has appeared in a number of countries such as Hong Kong. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) also requested that the anticipation and mitigation of the new variant be implemented as early as possible. The aim is not to interfere with the structural reform program and national economic recovery.

"In addition to the old variant, in several countries a new variant has emerged, the Omnicon variant which must increase our vigilance. Anticipation and mitigation need to be prepared as early as possible," he said during the submission of the Budget Implementation List (DIPA) and Transfers to Regions and Village Funds (TKDD) 2022, Monday, November 29.

Furthermore, Jokowi also reminded to increase awareness of the new variant of COVID-19, because the COVID-19 pandemic is still a threat to the world and Indonesia.

"We must remain vigilant because the pandemic has not ended and in 2022 the COVID-19 pandemic is still a global threat and a threat to our country, Indonesia," he said.

The government has followed up a number of steps to prevent the entry of a new variant of COVID-19, namely B.1.1529 or Omicron, into the country. One of them is by preventing travelers from a number of countries in Africa and Hong Kong.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan announced that he had officially banned foreign nationals (WNA) from a number of countries in Africa and Hong Kong from entering Indonesia. This ban officially goes into effect today or Monday, November 29.

"Entrance ban for foreigners who have a history of travel during the last 14 days to the following countries South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, Malawi, Angola, Zambia and Hong Kong," Luhut said at a press conference held aired online, Sunday, November 28.

The number of these countries, he continued, could be reduced or increased. The reason is that the government will continue to conduct periodic evaluations.

In an effort to prevent the spread of this new variant, the government has also established a new quarantine policy. For Indonesian citizens who return to the country and have a travel history from 11 countries, they will be quarantined for 14 days.

Meanwhile, foreign nationals who come to Indonesia other than these dozen countries, must quarantine for 7 days or four more days from the previous policy.

In addition, the government through the Ministry of Health will also improve genomic sequencing for international travelers. "Especially from positive cases from a history of traveling abroad to detect this Omicron variant," said Luhut.