TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria ensured that the two G20 agendas transferred from Bali to Jakarta will run smoothly despite the threat of the Omicron variant and the potential for flooding.

“There is indeed an increase in the risk of flooding in January-February, but inshallah (God's willing), we can control the floods and will not interfere with G20 activities,” said Riza at Jakarta City Hall, Monday, January 24.

The COVID-19 variant of concern, meanwhile, was predicted by some experts to reach its peak in February-March and will not hinder the international agendas.

Through its letter No. S-3/G20.33/2022, the Finance Ministry canceled one of the events in the G20 finance track series due to rising Omicron cases. They were the 2nd FCBD and 1st FMCBG which were scheduled to be held on February 15-18, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Bali.

Riza said the provincial government is still waiting for the central government's decision on whether to raise the status of the enforcement of the public mobility restrictions (PPKM) from level 2 to level 3.

“We continue to evaluate and coordinate. We are waiting for the results. We don't want to get ahead. Whatever the central government decides, we will carry it out as best we can,” said the Deputy Governor.

On Monday, January 24, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan announced the central government decided to extend the Java-Bali COVID-19 curbs for the next week or January 25-31, 2022, and asserted that Jakarta Greater Area (Jabodetabek) are still under PPKM Level 2.

Read: Govt to Apply Travel Bubble for G20 Events

EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA