We are anticipating the public's mobility during the year-end holiday that could trigger a spike in COVID-19 cases
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Communications and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate provided details on the government's strategies for preventing a spike in COVID-19 cases due to community mobility during the Christmas and New Year national holidays.

Reflecting on last year, in early December 2020, daily cases reached 5 thousand, but on January 30, 2021, after the Christmas and New Year holidays, the number almost tripled to 14,500 cases per day, he noted.

"We are anticipating the public's mobility during the year-end holiday that could trigger a spike in COVID-19 cases. We also know that in several regions there has been an increase in daily cases," Minister Plate said in a statement released on Wednesday.

The government's main focus is to prepare regulations that regulate community mobility during the year-end holidays, which may cause a spike in the transmission of COVID-19, he added.

A cross-ministerial policy has also been implemented to regulate community mobility, the minister said.

Several policies have been issued by the government to anticipate a surge in COVID-19 cases during the year-end holidays, including the policy nixing collective leave on December 24, 2021, as promulgated in the Joint Decree of the Three Ministers Number 712 of 2021, Number 1 of 2021, and Number 3 of 2021 regarding National Holidays and Collective Leave on 2021, he noted.

There is also another policy that forbids civil servants (ASN) from taking leave during national holidays through the Circular Letter of the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry Number 13 of 2021 concerning Restrictions on Traveling Activities Outside the Region and/or Leave for ASN During National Holidays in 2021, he said.

The government has emphasized that the implementation of policies and intervention measures must still be accompanied by the acceleration and expansion of vaccinations, the application of strict health protocols, and strengthening of the 3Ts (tracing, tracking, treatment), he added.

"We hope that the public can understand and comply with the rules to prevent a third wave of COVID-19. In addition, remember that the most important way to prevent a third wave is to maintain health protocols and immediate vaccination," Plate added.

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Translator: Livia K, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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