Do Not Want To Repeat The Spike In COVID-19, The Government Anticipates The Mobility Of The Christmas-New Year Holidays

COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito (Photo: BNPB dock)

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, said that the government is currently drafting mobility regulations for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

This rule is prepared with anticipation of the movement of people during long holidays. This is because the government does not want to repeat the spike in COVID-19 cases due to the high mobility of citizens and the entry of new variants of COVID-19.

"The government is preparing a policy to anticipate long holidays which of course cannot be separated from the precautionary principle," said Wiku in a virtual press conference, quoted Wednesday, October 6.

In addition, the government also pays more attention to travel requirements and screening mechanisms in opening international entrances in Indonesia.

Wiku said, currently COVID-19 in Indonesia is under control. Cases are now down 98 percent from the spike in cases on July 15.

"Given that Indonesia is currently in a controlled case, we should defend it, not be complacent, and be careful," said Wiku.

"We ask that regional governments carry out community surveillance and help with socialization in their respective regions, in particular the details of health protocols must be carried out to minimize the possibility of transmission as much as possible," he continued. As is known, Indonesia has experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases after a long holiday. For example, the 2020 Eid al-Fitr holiday made cases skyrocket to 214 percent and the increase lasted for seven weeks.

The next increase occurred during the Indonesian Independence Day holiday and continued with the Maulid Nabi holiday on October 28 to 29 2020. Then the 2020 Christmas and New Year holidays 2021.

The increase in cases was 389 percent and lasted for up to 13 weeks before falling after the first peak.