New Omicron Variant; Yogyakarta Tightens Monitoring of Foreign Travelers

TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - The trend of COVID-19 in Yogyakarta remains sloping along with the discovery of new variants of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. Since the new variant was detected in Jakarta and Bali last week, new daily cases in the special region are still below ten.

Yogyakarta spokesman Ditya Nanaryo Aji said the authority recorded three new infections, except in Yogyakarta City, Kulon Progo, and Gunungkidul on Sunday, June 12. “While there are 132 active cases,” he said on Sunday.

The Head of the Yogyakarta Health Agency, Pembajoen Setyaningastuti, said the local administration continued to monitor the new variants of COVID-19 as detected in Jakarta and Bali and prepared anticipatory measures. 

“Although there are no cases of the new variant in Yogyakarta yet, we are tightening screening, especially at the entrances for foreign travelers,” he underlined.

Overseas travelers are in the spotlight because eight of the new variant cases were foreign travelers. “We are tightening border checks for arrivals from overseas, such as at YIA Airport (Yogyakarta International Airport),” Pembajoen added. “We are also cooperating with the Port Health Office for screening.”

Pembajoen added that foreign travelers showing COVID-19 symptoms must undergo health screening albeit they have already passed it in their home country. For the record, the new variant of the Omicron "family" has a low level of severity yet the transmission can occur without symptoms.

PRIBADI WICAKSONO (CONTRIBUTOR)

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