VP Ma’ruf Amin: COVID-19 Handling Indicators Show Improvement

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin leads a limited meeting on evaluation of public activity restrictions (PPKM), Monday (01/11), through video conference. (Photo by: BPMI)

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin on Monday (01/11) chaired a limited meeting on the evaluation of public activity restrictions (PPKM) via video conference.

In the meeting, Ma’ruf said that several indicators of handling COVID-19 in the country had showed improvement.

However, he continued, there has been an increase in public mobility along with various relaxations of the PPKM; thus, good mitigation efforts are needed so that the implementation of the PPKM can be under control.

“We need to consider the best mitigation efforts so we can still control the pandemic alongside with relaxation of the PPKM,” he said.

Ma’ruf went on to say that in addition to making mitigation efforts, the implementation of 3T (testing, tracing, and treatment) and vaccination also need to be improved.

“We need to maintain the current situation and continue strengthening testing, tracing, isolation, treatment, and vaccination,” he said, while reminding everyone to brace for the possibility of a third wave.

“As the mobility of the public is increasing, it is necessary to improve protection of the public, including by improving the use of PeduliLindungi application to anticipate the emergence of a third wave,” he added.

Regarding international mobility, Ma’ruf underscored the importance of strict screening for both foreign tourists and Indonesian citizens traveling abroad as international mobility can become the entry of new variants of COVID-19.

“International travel health protocols include adjusting time for quarantine and provisions on PCR for international travelers aimed at anticipating the risk of virus transmission from other countries,” he said.

Ma’ruf also urged all everyone to start anticipating surge in public mobility ahead of year-end holidays to prevent the spike of the number of COVID-19 cases.

“We should remain vigilant ahead of the long year-end holiday period. We need to increase our vigilance ahead of those period of time,” he remarked. (BPMI/UN) (EST/EP)