Tourists From Surabaya Positive For Omicron, Deputy Governor Of Bali Cok Ace Asks People Not To Panic

Deputy Governor of Bali Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati who is familiarly called Cok Ace / DOK of the Bali Provincial Government

DENPASAR - Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, who is familiarly called Cok Ace, asked the people in Bali not to panic over news of tourists from Surabaya, East Java who were positive for COVID-19 Omicron after returning from vacation from the Island of the Gods.

"The important thing is not to panic, because panic will only lower our immunity," said Cok Ace, when confirmed, Monday, January 3, 2022.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the provincial government has reminded the public to be disciplined in health protocols. Including during the Christmas-New Year holidays because Omicron was detected in Indonesia.

"Since the beginning, we have appealed to the people of Bali, especially during the Christmas-New Year holidays, to always obey the provisions of the health protocol. Moreover, with the emergence of Omicron variants in several regions," he added.

Therefore, Cok Ace asked the Balinese to remain vigilant by tightening health protocols.

"Stay alert, and follow the procedure with discipline, and don't forget to always pray that this epidemic will end soon," said Cok Ace.

The same statement was previously made by the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa. The Governor of East Java asked the public not to panic while increasing vigilance by tightening health protocols, following the detection of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 in the local area.

"Now what we have to do is work together as hard as we can so that Omicron does not spread, and there is no local transmission," he said in Surabaya, quoted by Antara, Sunday, January 2.

Khofifah has coordinated with the Military Commander V/Brawijaya Major General Nurchahyanto, East Java Police Chief Inspector General Nico Afinta, BNPB Head Lt. Gen. Suharyanto and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

He also reminded the public to continue to adhere to health protocols in the form of wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, reducing mobility, staying away from crowds and accelerating vaccinations.

The detection of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 in East Java, said Khofifah, based on a report from the Airlangga University Surabaya University's "Institute for Tropical Disease".

"This is unavoidable, because one of the characteristics of the variant is its very fast transmission," said Khofifah.