COVID-19 Vaccination During Ramadan 2022 Intensified After Tarawih Prayers

Illustration of a COVID-19 vaccination. (Between)

JAKARTA - The government continues to boost national vaccination coverage during the month of Ramadan 2022. The implementation this month is intensified after Tarawih prayers in houses of worship to COVID-19 vaccination booths.

This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in a virtual press conference following the limited PPKM evaluation meeting with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday, April 4.

"The government will carry out vaccinations that will be carried out when Tarawih is finished, and other public places such as stations, airports, bus terminals, crowd centers, and places for joint homecoming," said Luhut.

According to Luhut, increasing the ease with which people reach vaccination outlets is an important step for the Government's efforts to maintain the good momentum of the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Indonesia.

Luhut stated that the current situation of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 pandemic is relatively under control with a decrease in daily cases of 97 percent compared to the peak point, national active cases down 83 percent compared to the current peak of under 100,000 active cases.

Based on the hospitalization rate, it also fell to 85 percent and the occupancy rate (BOR) was only 6 percent and the positivity rate was below the WHO standard, which was 4 percent.

"Since it was announced as one of the conditions for this year's Eid homecoming, the daily rate of booster vaccinations throughout Java and Bali has shown signs of a fairly high increase," said Luhut.

Currently, the vaccination rate for booster doses has only reached 23.6 million, while the second dose vaccination has reached 159.9 million.

On the other hand, Luhut, representing the Government, invited the public to carry out worship during the fasting month while maintaining strict health protocols, namely the use of masks, checking temperature, and ensuring good airways in places of worship.

"In addition, the government also distributes masks and hand soap to mosques for people who are carrying out worship during the month of Ramadan," he said.