Surge of Omicron Cases due to Returning Travelers from Abroad: Luhut

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan highlighted the surge of Omicron variant in Indonesia which exceeded 1,000 people daily. He said that the transmission was carried by one of the returning travelers from abroad.

"I just received a report that many have come from overseas and 44% of them were infected either by Omicron or Covid," stated Luhut on Wednesday night, January 19.

Upon witnessing that, the minister reminded people to refrain from travelling overseas in the next three week and continue activities from home.

The minister also predicted the peak of Omicron in the middle of February to the beginning of March according to the observation of Omicron in South Africa, as that's where Omicron originated.

Currently, the number of positive cases caused by the variant continues to surge and rocketing, even most confirmed cases came from abroad.

The minister then said the new variant covid is people's common enemy and it requires people's cooperation to bring Indonesia out of the pandemic. "If you want to live, please obey (the protocol). And if not, then by all means."

Luhut who also acts as the coordinator of Public Mobility Restriction (PPKM) of Java-Bali previously has said the government will tighten the public facilities entry conditions along with the rising trend of Covid-19 variant and only those who have been fully vaccinated to use it. Additionally, he also urges offices to resume working from home.

Read: Greater Jakarta Still Under PPKM Level 2: Luhut Pandjaitan

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | GRAVEN FIKRI (INTERN)