Ministry of Health Comments on Transition to Covid-19 Endemic Status

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Health continues to make efforts to change the Covid-19 pandemic status to endemic. Covid-19 Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health Siti Nadia Tarmizi, explained that to achieve the endemic status, preparations must be made by suppressing the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases, which can be done through vaccination.

In addition, Nadia added that tracing policies will continue to be implemented in accordance with the 1:12 target. "At least health protocols are being implemented by malls or tourism destinations," Nadia said in a short text message on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Therefore, Nadia said that the Ministry of Health urged regional heads such as governors, mayors, and regents to continue reminding people to comply with health protocols. "Keep on reminding the people about health protocols," Nadia said.

Previously, Nadia said that the government is not in a rush to lower the pandemic status to endemic. She explained that there are several indicators that must be considered in relation to changing the pandemic status to endemic.

Such indicators are: infection rate must be lower than 1 (one), positivity rate must be less than 5 (five) percent, hospital treatment rate must be less than 5 (five) percent, fatality rate must be lower than 3 (three) percent, and public activity restriction level on local transmission of the disease must be set at level 1 (one). These conditions must be achieved within a certain timeline, for example, 6 (six) months.

"During endemic status, cases will remain exists, but it will not disturb our daily life such as today where almost all of our activities, social life, religious life, tourism are not affected by Covid-19 cases," Nadia said in a written statement on March 16, 2022.

Currently, Indonesia is in the process of transitioning from pandemic status to endemic. The process is in line with the more relaxed policies adopted by the government, including allowing the people to return to their hometowns to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr.

Last month, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin had also stated that Indonesia is preparing to transition from covid-19 pandemic status to endemic. One of the signs according to Budi, is the decreasing number of confirmed infections.

Such condition is also supported by the increasing public awareness on health responsibilities. "As long as the public realized what needs to be done to face the pandemic, it will show that we are ready to transition from pandemic to endemic," Minister Budi said in a press conference quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel on April 4, 2022.

MOH. KHORY ALFARIZI