Booster Policy for Homecoming Exodus A Precautionary Measure, Says Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has described the government's policy on booster vaccinations for people joining the 2022 Eid homecoming exodus as a form of precaution measure.

"The government remains cautious. We are still allowed to perform Ramadan worship activities and join the exodus, but we must also complete the booster vaccination," he said at a press conference on the ‘Limited Meeting on Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Evaluation,’ which was accessed online on Monday.

He informed that people who have only received the first dose will be required to provide negative COVID-19 PCR tests from samples taken within three days of travel in order to join the exodus.

Meanwhile, those who have received the second dose will need to show negative results from an antigen test taken within one day or a PCR test taken no more than three days before travel.

"Those who have received the booster, no need to undergo any test," he added.

He also noted that the government's approval for the community to join the Eid exodus is inseparable from the condition of high public immunity.

"The government feels confident that we can carry out activities more freely," he said.

In addition, the implementation of the 2022 Eid Homecoming exodus is a follow-up to President Joko Widodo's directive for allowing people to enjoy the month of Ramadan and the exodus again.

Amid the improving COVID-19 situation in the country, Sadikin expressed the hope that the community will increase awareness and understand that all elements of the society have a health responsibility.

"As long as people are becoming more aware of what they have to do to deal with this pandemic, it will show that we are ready to move from pandemic to endemic (phase) later," he remarked.

Read: Jakarta Police Set Up 266 COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Sites

ANTARA