The municipal government of Batam, in Indonesia's Riau Islands, has raised its COVID-19 alert level following a surge in cases in neighboring Singapore.
The Head of the Batam Health Office, Didi Kusmarjadi, said that his team has implemented several precautionary measures, including the activation of the Early Warning and Response System (SKDR).
“SKDR helps us quickly track disease trends among the public. This system allows us to anticipate potential outbreaks more effectively,” he stated on Friday.
According to Kusmarjadi, the system enables authorities to monitor the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, on a weekly basis.
He stressed that the Batam Health Office is urging residents to adhere to health protocols.
“Batam is located very close to Singapore, where COVID-19 cases are currently rising. Given our role as a major entry point into Indonesia, it's crucial that we stay vigilant,” he added.
Kusmarjadi also highlighted the importance of public education and community empowerment to increase awareness of COVID-19 risks.
In line with this, the local government is working with community health centers to promote early detection of COVID-19 symptoms among residents.
He clarified that Batam has not yet recorded a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, as the city has not conducted mass screening. He emphasized, however, that primary vaccinations have been completed for all residents.
These precautionary steps follow a circular from the Ministry of Health warning of a possible resurgence in COVID-19 cases.
The ministry cited recent spikes in COVID-19 case numbers in several Asian regions, including Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Related news: Keep following health protocols to fight COVID variants: Official
Related news: Indonesia replaces imported COVID vaccines with safer domestic ones
Translator: Amandine N, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
