"I would like to ask people to remain vigilant by complying with health protocols, much like during the COVID-19 pandemic era, so that everyone can enjoy the year-end long holidays comfortably and joyfully," he said at his office, Jakarta, on Monday.
Effendy reiterated that the declaration of an endemic status of COVID-19 in Indonesia does not necessarily mean that the world has been freed completely from the virus.
He noted that Indonesia is among the countries to have recently recorded a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases while reminding the people to not panic and exaggerate.
"Everyone, including apparatus in regions, should refrain from taking actions that can lead people to panic. We should not exaggerate since we have predicted that as we enter endemic status, we would still face the risks of COVID-19," he pointed out.
Hailing Indonesia's achievement in herd immunity, the minister urged remaining unvaccinated individuals to get their shots without delay.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health reported that it had prepared 143 medical posts spanning along the travel routes to be possibly passed by the people during their travels in the upcoming holidays.
The government still possesses a supply of 4.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines that can be used during the holidays, according to Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono.
Harbuwuno also noted that the increase in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia is still under control.
"The increase has yet to reach a significant level. Everything is still under control," he said.
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Translator: Asep F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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