President Jokowi Tells Regional Leaders to be Well Prepared Ahead of Christmas, NY Holidays

President Joko Widodo

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has reminded all regional leaders to be well-prepared ahead of this year’s Christmas and New Year holidays as they can potentially cause a buildup of people and increase the people’s mobility such as people returning to their hometowns.

“I order good preparation of Christmas and New Year holidays this year so we can avoid a buildup of people,” the President said in his live-streamed directives to regional leaders at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (25/10/2021).

Based on a survey, there are 19.9 million people who will return to their hometowns in those holidays.

According to President, that is quite a big number of people and should be anticipated by all provinces, regencies, and cities.

“This is what we should anticipate. All provinces, regencies, and cities should warn their people not to go anywhere on Christmas and New Year holidays,” the President stated.

Therefore, the President added, all Regional Heads Coordination Forum can play a very significant role in disseminating the issue to anticipate the unexpected potential third wave.

“We hope that Christmas and New Year holidays can be well-managed because almost all epidemiologists are worried that this year’s Christmas and New Year holidays can trigger the third wave,” he said, adding that all related elements are expected to prepare measures to anticipate Christmas and New Year holidays.

“I hope everything is formulated and planned in details to adjust to local people’s condition and existing norms. Once again, we should implement health protocols dynamically. We must also be cautious and responsive,” he remarked. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information Affairs of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (AW/EP)