Government Considers Extending Quarantine Up To 14 Days If Spread Of Omicron Variant Soars

ILLUSTRATION BETWEEN

JAKARTA - The government is considering extending the quarantine period for foreign travelers to 14 days from 10 days. However, this consideration is based on the results of monitoring the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the country and a number of other countries.

"We will see developments in the past week. If it increases (cases of COVID-19 Varian Omicron, ed) then on 1 (January 2022, ed) it is possible that we will carry out an additional 14-day quarantine," said Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi in online press conference, Tuesday, December 21.

Budi also asked the public not to travel abroad if it was not important during the spread of the Omicron variant.

"We don't recommend going abroad considering that Omicron is increasing in distribution," he said.

"Even in Indonesia, there are some people who have been affected. In addition, in recent days there has been an increase in the number of people going abroad," added Budi.

Similarly, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy also emphasized that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had also conveyed the same appeal. So, it is hoped that all parties without exception can refrain from traveling abroad.

"Instead of being quarantined for 14 days, it's better to postpone going abroad, especially if going abroad is not very urgent," he concluded.