TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria on Monday reminds people that the government will be legally permitted to impose fines against people who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19 despite meeting all of the requirements as a recipient.

“The sanctions are there for those who refuse to be vaccinated under the Covid-19 regional regulation (Perda),” said Riza at the City Hall on January 4.

He cited the Health Minister’s Decree No.HK.01.07/MENKES/12757/2020 which states that members of the public that have received SMS alerts are required to partake in the Covid-19 vaccination. Exceptions only apply for those who do not fulfill the health criteria to be vaccine recipients.

Jakarta had passed the Covid-19 regional regulation (Perda) on October 19, 2020, which establishes the city’s legal basis to handle the pandemic. Sanctions for those who refuse vaccination is stated under the regulation’s Article 30 which imposes up to Rp 5 million in fines on people who refuse to take the vaccine.

Indonesia’s phase one vaccination program is meant for the country’s 119,145 healthcare workers including healthcare workers’ assistants, supporting staff, and college students undergoing medical professional education at healthcare service facilities.

This mass-scale vaccination is hoped to be enacted in the second and third week of January this year.

Also Read: Clinical Trial Team to Send Interim Report of COVID-19 Vaccine in January's End

IMAM HAMDI