TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Spokesman for the Covid-19 Handling Task Force Wiku Adisasmito said the government had been aware of the spread of a new coronavirus variant, namely SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01, which spread in Europe and Australia. The government, he added, has started to take anticipatory steps.

“The Indonesian government is committed to conducting surveillance of genetic changes of the virus, as well as its spread in the country and globally,” said Wiku at a press conference on Thursday, December 24, 2020.

Wiku said the mutation of SARS-Cov-2 was originally discovered in New South Wales. Recently, similar mutations were found in several European countries.

Other than applying a scientific approach, the government has begun to curb potential transmission by tightening people's mobility, including the arrival of people from abroad, Wiku explained.

He said that people arriving from overseas must present negative RT-PCR test results and take another RT-PCR test upon arrival in Indonesia. “This is necessary to protect the safety and health of Indonesian citizens from the emergence of imported cases,” said Wiku.

Wiku reminded the public to remain vigilant and implement health protocols as recommended by the government.

“These serious preventive efforts must be obeyed by the public so it will not worsen the Covid-19 pandemic occurring in Indonesia,” he underlined.

Read: Govt: Indonesia Has Yet Found New Coronavirus Variant

EGI ADYATAMA