It depends on how the people maintain diligent health protocols in a community because the infection rate depends on the people.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Emergence of the third wave of COVID-19 in Indonesia hinges principally on the people's behavior and the threat of a new SARS-CoV-2 virus variant, according to Vice Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono.

"It depends on how the people maintain diligent health protocols in a community because the infection rate depends on the people," he noted while delivering a press statement here on Wednesday.

Harbuwono highlighted that England was currently experiencing a new variant of COVID-19, named AY.4.2, that has triggered a new wave.

The Health Ministry is identifying every potential risk that could trigger the surfacing of a wave in various countries, he noted.

Meanwhile, the government will continue to limit public mobility to ensure that the number of domestic COVID-19 cases stayed low, he stated.

This would be achieved through a policy that regulates national holidays coupled with the implementation of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM), he elaborated.

Related news: Take precaution against 3rd wave without overlooking economy: Minister

"Although the number of cases are on a decline, we expect the people to not become complacent, as we have identified places with slightly higher cases than others," he pointed out.

Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy urged related stakeholders to not overlook economic activity in the community despite precautionary measures adopted by all elements to prevent the surfacing of a third wave.

"During the year-end holidays, it is absolutely necessary to tighten and monitor health protocols at several tourist destinations" Effendy noted in a written statement received here on Wednesday.

Health protocol tightening and monitoring are primarily done at churches during Christmas, shopping places, and local tourism destinations, he highlighted.

"Not only limiting the number of visitors but also supervising the implementation of health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 must be tightened," he added.

Related news: Government to limit public mobility during year-end holidays

Translator: Andi Firdaus, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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