Indonesia Encourages COVID-19 Handling in G20 Presidency

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Ministry stated that Indonesia would play a strategic role in pushing for the completion of the COVID-19 pandemic in its G20 Presidency.

"This year, Indonesia holds the G20 Presidency, meaning that Indonesia will (have a strategic contribution) in making global policies, especially how we resolve the COVID-19 pandemic," Director of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases at the Health Ministry Siti Nadia Tarmizi said.

Speaking at the Indonesian Congress Symposium on Combating COVID-19 Pandemic without Boundaries here Sunday, she said the policy could also be directed to anticipate possible pandemics in the future and strengthen collaboration among members of the Group of 20 and global community.

To this end, Tarmizi urged the government to work together with everyone, both at national and global scales, in resolving the COVID-19 pandemic.

She compelled all parties to reinforce their collaboration to handle COVID-19 better.

The presidency sets Indonesia on a greater stage to address the COVID-19 situation properly, Tarmizi said, adding that the health and economic conditions must become a common concern of all people.

It also meant that all elements in the society at large could make utmost efforts to make public health propel the economy. In this regard, it is important for the public to stay healthy to prevent the recurrences of previous public health crisis. 

The health protocols must be complied to, and the target for COVID-19 vaccination rate must also be achieved immediately, she added.

In addressing the cases of Omicron coronavirus variant, the Indonesian Government is striving to protect its citizens by offering third dose of COVID-19 vaccination for free. It is prioritized for the elderly and vulnerable people, and the one for general public will follow.

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