Positive Cases Of COVID-19 Increase Again In Europe, The Government Of Indonesia Is Again Alert

Director General of Disease Prevention and Control of the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) Maxi Rein Rondonuwu at the 2021 World Sight Day Press Conference. (photo: doc. between)

JAKARTA - The return of increasing positive cases of COVID-19, in a number of countries in Europe, has recently made the Indonesian government wary. Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, stated that the government continues to monitor and be aware of the increase in COVID-19 cases in Europe and the United States even though Indonesia is starting to get under control.

"The increase in cases, especially in the European region to seven percent, and a 10 percent increase in deaths," said Maxi in a written statement received by Antara in Jakarta, Saturday, November 20.

Maxi said the countries with the highest additions of cases were the United States, Britain, Turkey and Germany. The Delta variant was the cause of the increase in cases, which amounted to 99.64 percent of the total sequencing carried out in the last 60 days.

In fact, according to Maxi, the implementation of vaccination in these countries is considered high. Moreover, these countries have produced their own vaccine products.

"High vaccination is not a guarantee, it must be supported by behavioral changes to health protocols," said Maxi.

He emphasized that in order to prevent this from happening in Indonesia, the prevention strategy needs to continue, namely wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, reducing mobility, and avoiding crowds.

In addition, inspection (tracing), checking (testing), and treatment (treatment) need to be strengthened so that the COVID-19 pandemic remains under control.

"Acceleration of vaccination to achieve herd immunity, especially for the elderly, must also continue," said Maxi.

He realized that Indonesia was very vulnerable to spikes or transmissions from within and outside the country. The reason is, Indonesia has 35 airports with direct access to foreign countries, then has 135 ports which also have access to foreign countries.

In addition, Indonesia also has 10 border crossings with Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the COVID-19 Task Force and Head of the Bali Provincial BPBD Made Rentin said his party had tightened the entrance to Bali. Those who travel by air must show negative antigen (H-1) and have been vaccinated with two doses.

The PCR policy applies (H-3) for those who have just received the first dose of vaccine and show it through the PeduliLindung application. Likewise with land and sea travel, but the difference is at least having received the first dose of vaccine.

"To show the accuracy and ensure the authenticity of the negative results of the PCR-based or antigen-based swab test, the certificate must be equipped with a barcode/QRCode," he said.