Visiting Banda Aceh, National Police Chief Asks Not To Be Careless With The Decline In COVID-19 Cases

TNI Commander with the National Police Chief in Banda Aceh/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

BANDA ACEH - TNI Commander Marshal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto reminded the Indonesian people not to be careless with the current low number of COVID-19 cases.

"Other countries have proven that when cases are low and health protocols are no longer disciplined, there will be another spike in cases," said the TNI Commander who was accompanied by the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo while reviewing mass vaccinations, at the Banda Aceh Convention Hall (BACH), Kota Banda Aceh quoted by Antara, Tuesday, November 2.

According to the Commander, various countries in the world, including countries in Europe that have implemented vaccinations, are currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The relaxation of social activities that have been implemented, he said, was not followed by strict health protocols.

"As a result, even though vaccinations have been carried out on a massive scale, a spike in cases still occurs, meaning that 3M health protocol discipline is the key to handling the pandemic," he explained.

Therefore, Indonesia continued the Commander. You have to be careful because the data shows that although the trend of examinations continues to increase when confirmation cases are declining, it turns out that 92 percent of these tests are testing in the context of travel screening.

To suppress the pandemic through efforts to reduce the rate of transmission, close contacts must immediately quarantine. Then all traced close contacts must carry out "entry" and "exit tests".

"In Aceh Province, an increasing trend of confirmed cases occurred in Sabang City, Southeast Aceh Regency, and Bireun Regency," he said.

In a joint meeting with Forkopimda throughout the Aceh region, Marshal Panglima TNI hopes that the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) of Aceh Province provides education to the public regarding the importance of COVID-19 vaccination because vaccines are one of the efforts that currently must be optimized in suppressing the pandemic.

"Vaccines need attention because until now there are people who do not believe in vaccines and there are still people who are afraid to be vaccinated," he said.

The TNI Commander appealed to the public to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols. 3M can no longer be separated from everyday life.

"Wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands with soap have become part of the need," he said.

The TNI Commander emphasized that according to orders from Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the vaccination acceleration program in November 2021 must have reached the target of 50 percent and in December 2021 it has reached 70 percent.

So, he added, "herd immunity" or communal immunity can be achieved with the hope that all people are protected from COVID-19.

"I and the National Police Chief remind that health protocols are key when we carry out the relaxation phase," he stressed.

After holding a meeting with the Forkopimda ranks throughout the Aceh region, the TNI Commander reviewed the implementation of the mass vaccination campaign centered at the Banda Aceh Convention Hall (BACH), Banda Aceh City.

The mass vaccination campaigns were carried out simultaneously in 24 districts/cities, targeting the elderly, youth, public officials and the general public. The vaccination target is 19,600 doses of vaccine involving 470 vaccinator personnel consisting of TNI, Polri and Health Office.