Anticipating The Omicron Subvariant, The Mataram COVID-19 Task Force Is Strengthened

Illustration of a COVID-19 patient. (Between)

MATARAM - The Mataram City Government, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, has strengthened the role of the COVID-19 Task Force from the environmental, sub-district to sub-district levels as a measure to anticipate the spread of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

"The information about the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants are asymptomatic, so we ask the public to remain vigilant by implementing the COVID-19 health protocol", said Chief Executive of the Mataram City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Mahfuddin Noor, in Mataram, quoted from Antara, Monday, June 13.

According to Mahfuddin, who is also the Secretary of the Mataram City COVID-19 Task Force, until now the new variant case has not been found in Mataram City.

However, anticipatory steps through prevention must be carried out immediately by re-strengthening the role of the COVID-19 Task Force at every level.

"We will also improve coordination with related parties, including the central government, whether the prevention and treatment efforts are the same as the Delta and Omicron variants", he said.

If it is the same, he said, prevention efforts must return to the initial handling procedure by tightening regulations for foreign travelers by applying PCR.

"Moreover, there are indications of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants from abroad, so the entrance gates need to be tightened again", he said.

On the other hand, Mahfuddin said, from June 7 to July 7 2022 Mataram City was still at Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) level one, so various relaxations were given to the implementation of community social activities.

"The note is that we must continue to apply for the procedures and permits from the COVID-19 Task Force", he added.