TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated that COVID-19 vaccination activities should not be lessened, let alone stopped after the public mobility restrictions (PPKM) policy was revoked.

The availability of medicines and vitamins, he added, must also be guaranteed during the transition from a pandemic to an endemic.

“I hope vaccinations must not be stopped and [instead] be constantly promoted. Health facilities must always ensure the availability of medicines and vitamins during this transition period,” said Luhut, who is also the PPKM Java-Bali coordinator, in a statement, Monday, January 2, 2022.

“Also, please regularly check the availability of oxygen cylinders.”

The Health and Disaster Emergency Statuses Still in Effect

Luhut further emphasized that the public health emergency status and the COVID-19 national disaster are still in effect as this is a global condition. The government is scheming a strategy to prevent a spike in cases if a new variant emerges. At present, there are 17 Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) laboratory networks that can gather information on how to deal with these new variants.

The government will also measure community resilience every six months and prepare a booklet to assist them in taking action if there are new cases. The COVID-19 curbs policy was revoked after taking into account the controlled conditions of the pandemic, a high level of immunity (95.8 percent), readiness for better health capacities, and fast economic recovery.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin reminded the public not to be too euphoric with the revocation of the PPKM policy, which is part of the government’s transition strategy from a pandemic to an endemic. “We suggest people continue to exercise health protocols. Limit activities in crowds, keep wearing masks, wash hands regularly, revaccinate every six months, and so on,” said Budi Gunadi.

ANTARA

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