Semarang, C Java (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Naval Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono urged workers at the Tanjung Emas Port, Semarang, to receive vaccine jabs to support the government's endeavors to attain herd immunity projected to make Indonesia COVID-19 free.

"It is well known that seaports are economic centers. There are many kinds of workers, such as port operators and loading and unloading personnel, whose existence is very vital. Hence, they need to be vaccinated, so that economic activities at ports would not stop," he remarked while reviewing the implementation of a vaccination campaign at the Tanjung Emas Port's Passenger Terminal here on Thursday.

Moreover, the port is the entry point for ships involved in inter-island export-import and loading and unloading activities. Hence, all involved in the activities should be vaccinated, according to the admiral.

The vaccination campaign at Semarang's port is part of the inoculation activities organized by the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) by involving healthcare workers from the TNI, Indonesian Police, and seaport authorities. The TNI targets at least one thousand individuals to receive vaccine jabs daily.

"In accordance with the government's program of one million vaccine recipients per day, this (TNI's vaccination campaign) is conducted at ports, such as Tanjung Emas, Tanjung Priok, and Belawan," he stated.

Margono is optimistic that the national vaccination program, targeting one million recipients daily, would run well and smoothly with strict adherence to health protocols.

"With the soaring number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, people need to be more disciplined in implementing health protocols as a primary need by always wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands," he remarked. Related news: Number of Indonesians administered first COVID jab crosses 14.8 mln
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Translator: Wisnu AN, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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