Government Allows People to Travel as Long as They Have Vaccinated Against COVID-19 in Memory of Today, February 14, 2022

Portrait of COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Today's memory, four years ago, February 14, 2022, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan allowed people who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 to go on trips and tours. They are free to go on vacation because they are considered immune to the corona virus.

Previously, the presence of the COVID-19 vaccine was awaited by all Indonesian people. The narrative is because the vaccine is considered an important teaching to break the chain of transmission of the corona virus. The government immediately encouraged vaccination.

The Joko Widodo administration never predicted that the spread of the corona virus would be so massive. The owner of the power has no certainty to fight the virus from Wuhan. This condition makes everything messy. The number of victims of the pandemic in Indonesia is very high.

Those who are affected economically are not few. This condition makes economic growth inevitable. Moreover, the direction from the world health body, WHO, often changes. The result is that the adverse impact of COVID-19 is unstoppable.

Later the government surrendered. President Jokowi directly revealed to the Indonesian people to live side by side with the pandemic. This effort is carried out until the COVID-19 vaccine is found. He considers the vaccine as the only way for the world to be free from COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines are preparing to be distributed to Indonesia in early 2021. The government also immediately provides it free of charge for all Indonesians. Chinese company Sinovac Biotech with its Sinovac vaccine was the first to enter Indonesia.

The case is not everyone believes that the Sinovac vaccine is effective. This condition is because the vaccine was developed briefly and the issue of its safety is a question. However, the government immediately took a stance.

President Jokowi is willing to be the first Indonesian to be vaccinated on January 13, 2021. Jokowi's contribution is like breaking the series of vaccine safety debates.

"I will be the first to be vaccinated, I want to show that the vaccine is safe because it has gone through clinical trials not just once or twice. But we are still waiting for the results of the test, it will be the name of the emergency use permit from BPOM which is expected to come out this week or next week. After that, a day or two days later, I will be the first to be vaccinated," said Jokowi as quoted by lamandetik.com.

The vaccination program was then carried out massively throughout Indonesia. The government appealed to all Indonesians to get vaccinated. This condition so that people can carry out activities normally. The government then planned to increase the vaccination rate.

Officers enforce discipline on four-wheeled vehicle drivers and passengers at the "check point" for monitoring the implementation of the PSBB at the border of South Jakarta and Depok City, Thursday (16/4/2020). (ANTARA/Aria Cindyara)

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, also gave those who had been vaccinated with a relaxation on February 14, 2022. The relaxation was in the form of those who had been vaccinated being able to walk everywhere. They will no longer be intercepted by the government.

They can travel. They can also gather with their extended families. This freedom is intended for those who have been vaccinated and do not have an underlying disease.

"If he has been vaccinated, twice, has a booster, no comorbidities, just walk around. There is nothing to worry about. So we haven't seen any tightening again, but rather the relaxation we have done, but with strict monitoring," said Luhut as quoted by lamandw.com, February 14, 2022.