Gov’t Speeds Up Vaccination Drive to Anticipate ‘Mudik’

Joining a limited meeting on public activity restrictions at the Merdeka Palace on Monday (04/04) are President Jokowi (center) and a number of ministers. (Photo by: PR/ Rahmat)

The Government has announced it has decided to speed up COVID-19 vaccination drive to protect the public during this year’s mudik (annual exodus during Eid al-Fitr).

“The Government has ordered Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) in all regions in Java and Bali to optimize vaccination coverage for the second jab and the booster jab,” said Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in his press statement after joining a limited meeting on the evaluation of public activity restrictions at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (04/04).

According to the Minister, daily vaccination drive for booster jabs has shown an increasing trend in all province in Java and Bali.

The result, he said, is attributed to the Government’s policy of allowing mudik and domestic travel on condition that they have received the vaccine booster.

Travelers who have received a booster dose are no longer required to provide a negative RT-PCR or antigen test, he added.

The Government, he added, will also provide better and faster access to vaccination, adding that the people can get vaccinated at vaccination facilities, public places such as stations, airports, bus terminals, and at locations where mudik program takes place.

In the meantime, in a bid to enforce health protocols during the month of Ramadan, the Government will distribute face masks and hand soaps to mosques, he added.

“The Government allows the public to observe prayer and rituals during the holy fasting month of Ramadan by still adhering the strict health protocols, such as wearing a face mask, undergoing a body temperature check, and ensuring good ventilation system at places of worship,” he said.

In public places, managements of mall and restaurants are obliged to require visitors to use PeduliLindungi app before entering their establishments.

Luhut further said that vaccination and the use of PeduliLindungi app are the Government’s main instruments to curb the pandemic, as well as to carry on economic recovery and improve people’s mobility.

“The Government will continue to work so we can end the pandemic. The Government also hopes for public participation in enforcing the health protocols, including wearing a face mask so we all can end the pandemic immediately,” he remarked. (TGH/UN) (RAS/EP)