Minister Invites Religious Leaders to Join COVID-19 Campaign

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy has invited religious figures and leaders to educate people about the importance of stemming COVID-19 transmission.

"COVID-19 is not over. The fight against COVID-19 is still ongoing. Vaccine is only one weapon, not the only weapon that will be able to solve the pandemic," Muhadjir stressed while observing the mass vaccination of interfaith figures at the North Sumatra Muhammadiyah University (UMSU) Medan on Saturday.

Public adherence to health protocols needs to be emphasized, especially since worship and religious events have been allowed in mosques during Ramadhan, he said.

"(Health protocols) should not be ignored, but tightened even more. Because if the (COVID-19) transmission becomes wider, it will worsen the economic and public health conditions," he cautioned.

The minister also urged people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to take good care of their health by avoiding strenuous activities and adjusting their diet.

He said the effectiveness of the vaccine really depends on the condition of the body. In people who are busy or don't get enough rest, the vaccine doesn't work optimally, he added.

"So it needs adjustments to achieve this effectiveness. Just like taking medicine, if we take medicine, but we don't take rest, then the drug will not work optimally. Likewise with this vaccine. It won't work either," the minister elaborated.

Read: India's Daily COVID-19 Cases Pass 400,000 for First Time

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