Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia on the Latest Development of COVID-19, Medan, North Sumatra Province, February 3, 2022

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In response to the latest development in COVID-19 cases, with an increase of up to 27,197 cases per day on Thursday 3 February, 2022, let me convey the following messages.

The surge has been predicted and anticipated by the Government with our preparation being much better than that of previous years in terms of hospitals, medicines and oxygen, isolation facilities, and health workers.

The situation in our hospitals remains under control.

To that end, I appeal to all of you to remain calm. Although the Omicron variant has a high transmission rate, the fatality rate is lower than that of Delta variant and it is reflected in the cases of COVID-19 in several countries where the hospital occupancy rate is relatively low.

It also happens in our country. Although the number of cases has increased significantly, the occupancy rate in hospitals remains under control.

Let me  inform you that patients affected by the Omicron variant can be cured without having to go to hospitals. Patients exposed to this variant should carry out self-isolation at home, take medication and multivitamins, and get tested again after five days.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have ordered Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as Coordinator for implementation of activity restrictions policy (PPKM) in the islands of Java and Bali and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto as Coordinator for implementation of the PPKM Outside the islands of Java and Bali to immediately evaluate the PPKM levels.

I also order Governors, Regents, Mayors, and regional governments stakeholders, supported by the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to ensure that health protocols are observed by the people and that vaccination drive continues to be carried out and accelerated.

Finally, I urge everyone to remain calm in overcoming new variants of COVID-19. Do maintain your self-discipline to observe health protocols and reduce unnecessary activities.

For those who have not been vaccinated, please get vaccinated immediately.

For those who have been fully vaccinated and are eligible for a booster vaccine, get a booster vaccine immediately.

That concludes my statement.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(RI/EP)