Dissemination Of COVID-19 Still Vulnerable, Government Advised To Be Careful When Relaxing Rules During Fasting Month

Illustration/Photo: PIXABAY

JAKARTA - Epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University, Dicky Budiman advised the government to be careful in easing the rules in the upcoming fasting month. Although the coverage of COVID-19 vaccination is already high, this step is deemed necessary because Indonesia is still in a vulnerable condition.

This was conveyed in response to the statement of the Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin who stated that activities in the month of Ramadan could be normal. Provided that the coverage of two-dose vaccination and the provision of a third or booster dose for vulnerable groups has been achieved.

"The easing by the government, including now approaching the month of Ramadan, yes, it can be done. But don't let it relax, let alone eliminate aspects of the health protocol because it is dangerous," said Dicky when contacted by VOI, Thursday, March 17.

Dicky said the high coverage of the COVID-19 vaccination could really keep the community from spreading the virus.

However, it is important to remember that 90 percent of the population must be fully vaccinated. "That is what is called safe or capital to relax activities," he said.

Furthermore, Dicky said, Indonesia should be able to reflect on a number of countries in Europe. One of them, Denmark, which has started to do massive easing.

"For example, Denmark, he doesn't have masks anymore, relaxation in many sectors but now the hospital occupancy rate is increasing. The death rate is rising high," he said.

He confirmed that the vaccine did make people exposed to COVID-19, especially the Omicron variant, have no symptoms or have mild symptoms. "But it must be remembered that in this era of Omicron plus, the immunity that arises from infection or vaccine decreases over time," explained Dicky.

"This means demanding consistency in other protections, aspects of health protocols and tracing, testing, and treatment, although it doesn't need to be as strict as when vaccine coverage was still low," he added.

Dicky reminded all parties, especially policy makers, to be patient in dealing with the pandemic, including loosening the rules. Moreover, the current condition of Indonesia is still vulnerable.

"After all, the status is still a pandemic. The whole world is still happening, the morbidity and even mortality rates are still high. Our positivity rate is still high above 5 percent," he said.

"So that we have improved progress, yes. But what we have to realize is that this is not the time or period to do a lot of easing," said Dicky.

Previously reported, Budi Gunadi asked the public to immediately receive a complete COVID-19 vaccine. The goal, so that during fasting and the coming Eid normal conditions can be felt by the community.

"Hopefully, if we can discipline the second dose of vaccination for the community and also the elderly, hopefully later our condition in the month of fasting will be better and this is one of the conditions so that we can review what we will decide later during Ramadan. and Eid this year," said Budi in a press conference that was broadcast online, Monday, March 14.

On the same occasion, the Coordinator of the Java Bali PPKM Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan emphasized that this would be implemented if the booster vaccination was continuously increased. This is because booster vaccination coverage is still lagging behind Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

"Towards Ramadan and Eid, we hope that we will be freer in the month of Ramadan, but for that we entrust all of us to complete vaccinations and boosters," said Luhut.

Luhut asked the public not to choose the type of COVID-19 booster vaccine. He emphasized that all types of vaccines have been declared effective against the existing new variants of Corona.

"We hope that Muslim worship during Eid can run optimally while still implementing health procedures so that there will not be a spike in cases," he explained.

"There are still 2 weeks before the fasting month to speed up this vaccination," concluded Luhut.