Task Force: Perform Strengthening Vaccinations Before Homecoming Prevent Buildup

Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmito (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Government Spokesperson for Handling COVID-19 Prof Wiku Adisasmito appealed to the public to immediately carry out booster vaccinations before carrying out Lebaran homecoming to prevent congestion on the road.

"The government still urges the public to vaccinate well before departure (homecoming, ed.)," he said at the Press Conference on the Development of Handling COVID-19 in Indonesia as of April 19, 2022, which was followed online in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Tuesday, 19 April.

He said that although the results of the sero survey announced by Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin on Monday, April 18, stated that the antibody levels of Indonesian citizens had reached 99.2 percent, through booster vaccination, it is hoped that antibodies in the community could be formed perfectly in the midst of homecoming activities.

In addition, by carrying out booster vaccinations before going home, the community can help the government to prevent the accumulation of vehicles and passengers at the vaccination post which will be provided evenly at a number of strategic points.

"The Ministry of Transportation and the National Police are currently conducting harmonization together with other line ministries and institutions to prepare modifications to the travel route that will be implemented to prevent the accumulation of passengers. Please wait for the detailed decision results," he said.

According to him, with the rate of transmission of COVID-19 cases being sufficiently controlled and the high levels of antibodies formed in the community, it should not stop the expansion of vaccination. With vaccination, community immunity that is formed in one area can provide protection to other areas.

Wiku added that the higher the distribution of community immunity, the more optimal the national protection formed, even for people who have been infected by COVID-19.

He asked that the vaccine certificate must still be shown through the PeduliLindung application as official proof that a person has been vaccinated for productive and safe activities from COVID-19.

Travel requirements, both vaccinations and COVID-19 test results, will also be checked at the departure point and at several points during the trip. For this reason, the public is required to download the PeduliLindung application and fill in the domestic EHAC in the application.

During the event, he also emphasized that this should be used as a basis for the central government and local governments to continue to accelerate and expand vaccination coverage.

"Remember that in order to be protected optimally, especially when going home, the application of health protocols before, during the trip and after arriving at the destination must still be prioritized," said Wiku.