Wary Of COVID-19 Delta Plus Variant, Luhut Says Quarantine Period Can Be Extended By 7 Days

ILLUSTRATION/BETWEEN

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan asked all parties to be aware of the emergence of the COVID-19 AY.4.2 or Delta Plus variant that has been found in neighboring countries.

"Now it's available, it's from England entering Malaysia with the Selta AY4.2 variant and I think we have to be aware of this," Luhut said in a virtual press conference, Monday, November 8.

Seeing this, Luhut said he did not rule out the possibility if the government again extended the duration of the quarantine period for travelers from abroad to 7 days.

"It's not impossible, later if people come from outside, we can do it, maybe the quarantine will increase to 7 days. This is also possible," said Luhut.

At this time, the government has reduced the quarantine period for international travelers to 3 days for those who have been fully vaccinated and 5 days for those who have just been vaccinated with the first dose.

Previously, the quarantine period was valid for 8 days. With the frequent changes to the rules, Luhut asked the public to understand it.

Given, the behavior of this corona virus also changes according to the mutations that occur. In fact, said Luhut, the Delta Plus variant is 15 percent faster than the Delta variant itself.

"I remind you, don't think that our thoughts are inconsistent. This is our strategy, our tactics will always lead to how the behavior of COVID-19 is," said Luhut.

"I beg friends outside, don't think this is inconsistent. The government is far from that. We are very consistent. What is inconsistent is the disease," he added.