"If the citizens are disciplined in following health protocols and getting vaccinated, Indonesia will most likely be able to avoid the third wave and the Omicron variant," he stated here, Friday.
According to Faqih, the government is mandated to formulate policies and oversee their implementation, as well as educate and facilitate the public.
In a bid to prevent the Omicron variant from entering the country, the government has prohibited the entry of foreign nationals whose 14-day travel history includes countries, such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Eswatini, Malawi, Angola, Zambia, and Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Indonesian citizens, with a travel history from those countries mentioned above, will be quarantined for 10 days.
Related news: Omicron: State officials barred from making overseas trips
The government has also increased the quarantine days for foreigners and Indonesian citizens coming from abroad outside the countries included in the ban list to seven days, from the earlier three days.
In addition, the government will implement the level 3 public activity restrictions (PPKM) during Christmas 2021 and New Year's 2022.
"Actually, the vanguard is the community. Two important aspects are health protocols and vaccinations. This is primary and secondary prevention for the community," he affirmed.
Faqih explained that PPKM is an instrument of the government's policy to push the public to become disciplined in following health protocols. However, the implementation still relies on public awareness. Hence, in order to improve understanding, information must be continually disseminated.
The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to data from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of December 3, 2021, at least 4,257,243 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in the country, while 4,105,680 people have recovered, and 143,858 people had succumbed to the deadly virus.
Related news: President asks ministers to stay alert for Omicron variant
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
