JAKARTA – The Indonesian government continues to anticipate cases of COVID-19 so as not to experience a spike again. The government through inter-ministerial/institutional arrangements is in the middle of formulating a strategy to anticipate a spike in cases ahead of the year-end holidays.
“The prepared strategy is expected to be the basis for an effective and inclusive policy by emphasizing a number of principles,” Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force Prof. Wiku Adisasmito in a virtual International Media Briefing at Graha BNPB, Tuesday (19/10/2021) which was also broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.
The principles referred to include relaxation of activities followed by strict field control, increasing vaccination rates for the elderly, especially in agglomeration areas and centers of economic growth, and accelerating vaccination programs for children.
As of October 18, 2021, 52.07% of the population in Indonesia had received the first dose, and 30.48% of them had received the second dose of vaccine. Especially for the elderly population, 35.52% have received the first dose and 22.41% of them have received the second dose. While the development of vaccines for children aged 12-17 years, 14.57% of them have received the first dose and 10.99% have received the second dose of vaccination.
The next principle is to carry out layered screening of international tourists, then monitoring activities and public education by local governments about health protocols. As well as exploring several potential COVID-19 treatment alternatives by cooperating with foreign manufacturers to set up factories in Indonesia, such as molnupiravir from Merck and antiviral AT527 from Roche and Atea Pharmaceutical.
In addition, the implementation of the Policy for the Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) will continue to be carried out. Because it has proven to be effective in suppressing cases, including anticipating the Christmas and New Year holiday periods.
“Therefore, the community is asked to comply with government policies and to local governments to be able to monitor and control the mobility of their citizens so that the increase in cases can be prevented,” Wiku said.
Jakarta, October 19, 2021
Communication Team of the Committee for Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and National Economic Recovery
[ISTA/ACU/VJY]