Gov’t Takes Measures to Prevent COVID-19 Surge in Upcoming Christmas, New Year

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat)

The Government will take necessary measures to prevent surge in COVID-19 cases during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays.

“At the Limited Cabinet Meeting, the President has ordered [us] to prepare for the upcoming Christmas and New Year,” Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said after the Limited Cabinet Meeting on Monday (10/11).

The Government, he added, will improve vaccination rate, especially for the elderly who are vulnerable if they contract COVID-19.

“We should achieve higher vaccination rate for the elderly, especially in agglomeration areas and centers of economic growth, so that if the next wave occurs, the mortality rate and hospitalization rate can be reduced,” Luhut said.

The Coordinating Minister went on to say that the President also ordered all stakeholders to maintain the low number of COVID-19 cases.

On that occasion, Luhut also said that the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Indonesia continues to show improvement. As of October 10, the national daily confirmed cases have dropped 98.4 percent with daily mortality below 50 cases.

Regarding the vaccination rate, Luhut said that the implementation of minimum vaccination rate provisions, including the minimum vaccination rate for the elderly, as a requirement for reducing activity restrictions (PPKM) level in the islands of Java and Bali, plays an important role for a higher vaccination rate.

“As of October 10, the first dose vaccination rate in Java and Bali has reached 40 percent, an increase of 8 percent compared to that of September 13, 2021,” Luhut said.

Closing his statement, Luhut reiterated the message that everyone should stay vigilant and not be complacent with the current COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country. (DND/UN) (RI/LW)