Tangerang (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin urged the Tangerang City Government, Banten Province, to take precautionary measures against a surge in COVID-19 cases by offering health facilities at health centers, hospitals, and other self-isolation places.

"We have to prepare places for handling those who are exposed, such as health centers, hospitals, and isolation areas. This is our precautionary measure to deal with the surge in COVID-19 cases," Vice President Amin remarked while delivering a press statement at the Tangerang City Government Center after monitoring the vaccination activities broadcast via the YouTube channel of Tangerang TV, Tuesday.

The vice president also called to boost testing and tracing activities in line with the WHO standards for individuals exposed to COVID-19.

In addition, the application of health protocols in the community must be stepped up, such as by using masks, as it is deemed crucial to stemming transmission of the disease.

"Mr. Governor, yesterday, I visited the Tangerang area, and several residents were not wearing masks. Wearing masks must be encouraged through the implementation of health protocols," the vice president told Banten Governor Wahidin Halim standing behind him.

The vice president is optimistic that the Tangerang City Government would conduct more vaccination activities for the community in order to expedite inoculation.

If the population of Tangerang City reaches 1.8 million people, then 70 percent, or 1.4 million people, should be vaccinated.

Constraints experienced by the regions should be handled through coordination, and solutions should be sought. Meanwhile, in connection with the availability of vaccines, the government will continue to prepare vaccines, so that the implementation can run smoothly.

"There should not be obstacles that hinder vaccination activities," Amin noted.

Tangerang Mayor Arief R. Wismansyah expressed readiness to assist in achieving the vaccination target set by the central government. Information on this vaccine being safe and halal is also being continually disseminated among members of the public.

"We are also optimistic that the supply of vaccines from the central government to the regions would run smoothly, so that the implementation of vaccination can run properly," he affirmed.
Related news: Vice President Amin visits Banten to observe COVID-19 vaccination

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Translator: A Irfan, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Suharto
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