Palu, C Sulawesi (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has asked regional governments to optimize COVID-19 handling so that the central government's efforts for scripting a national economic recovery are not hampered.

"We want COVID-19 handling to be under control so it will not hamper our efforts for national economic recovery," he said here on Friday.

He asked regional governments to enhance COVID-19 handling and stem infections in their regions by improving public compliance with the health protocols.

The health protocols that people must follow are wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining social distance, reducing mobility, and avoiding crowds, he stressed.

Amin also asked regional governments to expand COVID-19 vaccinations to achieve herd immunity or community immunity against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Central Sulawesi Governor Rusdy Mastura directed all district and city governments to intensify COVID-19 vaccinations through innovative efforts to increase residents' willingness to get vaccinated.

"District and city governments must innovate to intensify COVID-19 vaccinations in order to accelerate the achievement of vaccination targets," the governor said.

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According to Mastura, one of the efforts that the governments can make is to provide gifts or basic necessities to boost people's participation in COVID-19 vaccinations.

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.

In a bid to boost immunity against COVID-19, the Indonesian government launched a nationwide vaccination program on January 13, 2021.

According to data provided by the Health Ministry, as of January 7, 2022, nearly 168,819,593 Indonesians have received their first COVID-19 jab, while 116,114,884 have been fully vaccinated against the virus.

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Translator: Muhammad Hajiji, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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