“The government should prepare all the necessities for the worst condition (of COVID-19) from now. We must not be overwhelmed if there is a big spike like in mid-2021,” she said in a statement issued here on Thursday.
Maharani expressed the hope that the health infrastructure throughout the country will be ready if another COVID-19 wave occurs due to Omicron transmission.
She said that Indonesia should no longer face limitations like it did when the Delta surge occurred earlier.
"Don't let us run out of medicines, oxygen, and even beds in hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients. Coordination between the central government and regions must be really optimal, including with various related institutions and agencies," she noted.
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Amid an increase in the number of Omicron cases in Indonesia, she appealed to people to postpone their plans to travel abroad if not urgent.
“The implementation of quarantine for international travelers should be under strict supervision. We hope all parties can comply, including government officials,” she remarked.
Despite the worrying situation of Omicron transmission in several countries, people must remain calm because the COVID-19 vaccines administered under the national vaccination program are still effective in providing protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to an Omicron infection, she added.
The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to data provided by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of January 6, 2022, at least 4,264,669 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the country, while 4,115,358 people have recovered, and 144,116 people have succumbed to the virus.
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Translator: Imam Budilaksono, Raka Adji
Editor: Suharto
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