Preventing Omicron Variants, Indonesia's Entry And Exit Paths Are Tightened

Head of the Public Relations Division of the Indonesian National Police Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo/DOK PR POLRI

BADUNG - Head of the Public Relations Division of the Indonesian National Police Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo, said, to prevent the entry of new variants of Omicron, the exit and entry routes to Indonesian territory were tightened, especially during the upcoming G20 Summit.

"To deal with the Omicron variant of COVID, the president has emphasized and the National Police are tasked with carrying out surveillance and also tightening at all entrances, both at airports, sea and land ports," he said, at a press conference at the National Police Headquarters Apel in 2021, which took place at The Apurva Kempinski Hotel, Nusa Dua Bali, Friday, December 3.

Inspector General Dedi said the tightening was also carried out in a series with the implementation of the G20 Summit in 2022.

"Don't let the omicron variant enter Indonesia. From the results of the research presented by the president, it can be said that this variant attacks 80 percent of people who have not been vaccinated. Then 60 percent of those who are susceptible to this variant are under five years old, and the third vulnerable to die from the virus who are over 50 years old," he said.

Inspector General Dedi emphasized that this situation needs to be watched out for and that health protocols are an absolute must. In addition, the acceleration of vaccination for all provinces is expected to reach the target of 70 percent, especially the vaccination targeting the elderly because they are considered the most vulnerable compared to other vulnerable ages.

The tightening also applies not only to Indonesian citizens but also foreigners who will enter Indonesian territory as well as being under the supervision of the central task force. For this reason, he emphasized that air, land and sea entrances remain the focal point of security.

Previously, in the direction of President Joko Widodo during the 2021 National Police Headquarters Apel activity, he said that all people should be careful in dealing with the latest variant of Omicron.

In his directive, the president also reminded the importance of health protocols and vaccinations because this Omicron variant has five times faster power than the regular variant.