"It is inevitable. What can be done is reduce the number of daily cases by implementing social restrictions," he remarked.
He noted that to curb the addition of new daily cases, the measure to be taken is imposing level 4 PPKM in areas confirmed to record cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
"PPKM (varies) in levels, but level 4 is implemented in all regions that have Omicron cases," he stressed.
Meanwhile, regarding the increase in cases among international travelers, Wahyono advised that overseas travel be only approved for those having to tend to urgent matters and can prove it.
Indonesia has continued to record an increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases. On January 27, 2022, some 8,077 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the country.
Related news: Increase in COVID-19 cases triggered by Omicron variant: PDIB
The figure showed an increase as compared to 7,010 new cases reported on January 26, 2022, and 4,878 cases on January 25, 2022.
Earlier, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, on Thursday, January 27, 2022, had reported that as of January 26, 2022, the number of Omicron cases in Indonesia had reached 1,988.
Nevertheless, he appealed to the community to not overly panic in facing the spread of the Omicron variant since apart from its symptoms being milder, the government had readied precautionary measures against the potential third wave of COVID-19.
"The most important aspect is to follow health protocols, wear masks, and do not crowd," the minister affirmed.
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 28, 2022, at least 4,319,175 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in the country, while 4,131,333 people had recovered and 144,268 people had succumbed to the virus.
Related news: Health Ministry records three Omicron deaths
Translator: Prisca Triferna, Raka Adji
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
