"The increase occurred within one month, especially after a number of mass vaccination activities were conducted," West Sumatra COVID-19 Task Force spokesperson Jasman Rizal said in Padang on Saturday.
The growth in vaccination rate is a good step towards dealing with the pandemic, he noted. However, some areas have still recorded a low vaccination rate, such as Agam district, South Pesisir district, among others, he added.
"For Padang city, the vaccination rate is quite good," he remarked.
However, the number of people affected by COVID-19 is still below the WHO standard, which is five people per day, he said.
"This is what we are trying to maintain, especially during the Christmas and New Year moments, which are indeed closely related to holidays," he said
He informed that the West Sumatra government is ready to impose Level 3 community activity restrictions, in keeping with the central government's policy, from December 4, 2021 to January 2, 2022.
Among the facilities that have been prepared are health facilities and isolation posts, which will be established or built again, he said.
"We are targeting that by December 20, all the command posts have been established, and on December 23, we will go down to inspect all the posts," he added.
He said the West Sumatra government will make adjustments, especially regarding tourist sites and face-to-face learning at schools among others, during the Level 3 community activity restrictions later.
"All civil servants, private employees are prohibited from taking leave at the end of this year, which is meant to minimize crowds," he added.
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Translator: Mario S N, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
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