Omicron Variant Detected In Indonesia, Jokowi Asks Officials And Residents To Refrain From Traveling Abroad

President Joko Widodo and Ganjar Pranowo (Photo: Presidential Secretariat Youtube)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked all parties without exception to refrain from traveling abroad. This was conveyed after the entry of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 into the country.

He conveyed this appeal not only to the public but also to officials. Jokowi said all parties must hold back until the atmosphere is more conducive.

"I ask all citizens and state officials to refrain from traveling abroad. At least until the situation subsides," Jokowi said in a video caption that was shown on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, Thursday, December 16.

He said the Omicron variant was inevitable. Moreover, this type of mutation transmission occurs very quickly.

So, Jokowi asked all to move together so that the Omicron variant does not spread in the country. "We must try to keep the situation in Indonesia good. We keep the number of active cases low, we monitor the transmission rate to stay below 1 and don't let it spike again," he stressed.

Even so, he asked the public not to panic even though they must remain vigilant. He conveyed this request because so far the Omicron variant has not shown a dangerous character for infected patients, including patients who have been vaccinated.

Not only that, Jokowi asked the public to immediately get the COVID-19 vaccine at health facilities. Meanwhile for the regional government, the former Governor of DKI Jakarta ordered that testing and tracing of close patient contacts be intensified and increased.

"Although the domestic situation is approaching normal, all of you, brothers and sisters, don't slack off in implementing health protocols. Keep wearing masks, keep your distance, wash your hands," he concluded.