Before leaving for the homecoming trip, you should continue to implement the (strict) health protocols, (as well as) pay attention to your own health and the safety of the (homecoming) group.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture has urged the community to help increase the coverage of the COVID-19 booster vaccination ahead of the 2023 Eid Al-Fitr homecoming period.

"The public and all stakeholders should actively partake in increasing the coverage of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccination ahead of the Eid Al-Fitr homecoming," assistant deputy for health service improvement at the ministry Nia Reviani said here on Friday.

The administration of complete vaccination doses is necessary to prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases since the mobility of the community may increase during the exodus period, which is estimated to take place on April 19 to 25, 2023, she explained.

Meanwhile, Eid Al-Fitr is expected to fall on April 22.

"Eid Al-Fitr exodus is an important tradition for many (Indonesian) people to meet their family and relatives. However, considering that we are still amid a pandemic situation, vaccination is very important to curb the transmission of the COVID-19 virus," the assistant deputy said.

COVID-19 booster doses are needed to improve the effectiveness of previous vaccinations, she added.

"By getting booster vaccinations, the body's immunity will increase, thus it will help people to be better protected from COVID-19 and prevent the spread of the virus," she said.

In addition, she appealed to people to adhere to the health protocols and maintain their own health.

"Before leaving for the homecoming trip, you should continue to implement the (strict) health protocols, (as well as) pay attention to your own health and the safety of the (homecoming) group," she emphasized.

The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture has also continued to encourage the dissemination of information regarding the importance of getting booster vaccinations.

In addition, Reviani said that the holy Islamic month of Ramadan — which started on March 23 this year -- is a good momentum to improve physical and mental health, for instance, by carrying out a clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS) every day.

"PHBS is a set of habits implemented by individuals or groups to improve their health, thus they can have better productivity and quality of life," she said.

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Translator: Wuryanti Puspitasari, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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