TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Spokesperson for the Health Ministry Siti Nadia Tarmizi said a new COVID-19 variant known as the Mu variant had not yet entered Indonesia. She added the government, however, remained vigilant to prevent the possible entry of the new variant.

“We surely know that we need to be aware of this variant,” said Nadia via phone call on Friday, September 3.

She said Indonesia has already applied an international travel protocol in accordance with the COVID-19 Task Force’s Circular No. 8 of 2021, which could be an early preventive measure against the virus spread. The protocol includes a mandatory negative result of a PCR test, a PCR test upon arrival, and quarantine for a minimum of eight days.

According to her, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the new variant as a variant of interest (VOI) on August 30, 2021. This means the variant still needs to be examined further for its impact on people.

The variant is obviously different from the Delta variant which is classified as a variant of concern (VOC). Although it has some similarities with the Beta variant, Nadia said the Mu variant could not be classified yet into a more dangerous group.

“Although 39 countries have reported the case, the Mu variant trend has decreased globally, especially in Colombia and Ecuador, where its prevalence is stable and stay high. That's why it is classified as a variant of interest,” Nadia concluded.

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