Legislator Wants Travel Restriction Imposed to Protect Against New Virus Strains

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives (DPR) health commission legislator Kurniasih Mufidayati in a statement on Wednesday calls for a revision on the law overseeing travel restriction of foreign nationals under the enactment of the public activity restriction (PPKM).

Kurniasih also mentioned the limited stay visa (ITAS) and the law overseeing it that needs to be revised. She argues that ITAS holders must now be denied entry.

The legislator from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) insists “a revision must be put in place to realize the spirit of restricting foreign workers into Indonesia.”

She believes this is needed to prevent the entry of three new Covid-19 variants that consists of Mu, Lambda, and C.1.2. Especially after a report from the Health Ministry suggests there are 1,636 people entering Indonesia confirmed to be positive for coronavirus despite having a screening tests report from their country of origin clearing them from the virus. 

The Mu variant detected in January this year first detected in Colombia is now found across 49 countries. The Lambda variant first discovered in Peru in December 2020 is now also reported in 42 other countries while the C.1.2 variant was first discovered in South Africa in May this year. 

“Even though the transmission rate is not as rapid as the Delta variant, the new variants are said to be immune against vaccines. We must be vigilant about this as soon as possible,” said the DPR legislator. 

Read: Mongolia Finds First COVID-19 cases in Animals

FRISKI RIANA