Omicron Variant COVID-19 Found In Indonesia, PPKM Policy Still Being Discussed

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The government is waiting for conditions on the ground before taking a policy regarding the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) after the discovery of a positive case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the country.

"Regarding PPKM, of course, this will continue to be discussed while waiting for conditions on the ground," said Spokesperson for the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Jodi Mahardi in a written statement, Thursday, December 16.

Even so, Jodi ensured that the PPKM policy would continue to follow the reference standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, Jodi said, this limitation will continue to be evaluated and the results will be an assessment tool to decide the next steps to be taken.

"PPKM, which continues to be evaluated every week, is a fairly good assessment tool to be able to immediately decide if something very worrying happens," he said.

Previously reported, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin announced the first case of the Omicron variant in the country. Was a cleaning officer at Wisma Atlet who tested positive for COVID-19 on December 8, 2021.

Initially, there were three people who were tested. However, two of them were not confirmed to have COVID-19 Omicron and only the officer was exposed.

Furthermore, the three people were quarantined at the Wisma Atlet and did not experience any symptoms even though they tested positive for COVID-19. The last condition, they also tested negative after carrying out the PCR test for the second time.