VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Ahead of the 2021 Christmas and 2022 New Year holidays, the Indonesian government is preparing to anticipate a spike in the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic due to increased community mobility. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs as Chairperson of the Covid-19 Handling Committee and National Economic Recovery, Airlangga Hartarto in a press statement, Monday (6/12) said that the government would limit community activities during the 2021 Christmas and 2022 New Year (Nataru) holidays.

Airlangga further pointed out that the community activities in public spaces, such as restaurants and shopping centers are limited to 75 percent. Gathering activities for various activities are limited to a maximum of 50 people. Besides, vacation activities or traveling during the Nataru holiday period are allowed for those who have been vaccinated. People who have not been vaccinated are not allowed to travel. This was stated by Airlangga Hartarto in a press conference related to the Virtual Evaluation of the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM). He also stated that Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian will immediately issue a Minister of Home Affairs Instruction, specifically for Nataru's holidays. The rules will follow the level adjusted to the World Health Organization -WHO. In a limited meeting, Monday (6/12), President Joko Widodo also ordered his aides to prepare booster vaccines early next year.

The Indonesian people should be grateful for the active cases of Covid-19 which have continued to decline in recent weeks. The latest data on Monday afternoon recorded that 130 cases were confirmed with 9 deaths. This number shows that although Covid-19 cases continue to decline, the pandemic does not shake off, yet. Vigilance must remain, especially with the spread of the Omicron variant which has spread to 45 countries. With the development of Covid-19 cases that continues to improve, the Indonesian people must not be careless ahead of the Nataru holidays.

The government has been working hard to control the pandemic. Thereby, the community should support the government's hard work by complying with the regulations to be issued. The restrictions that apply are only temporary. The 6M-health protocol is very important to follow during holidays. The 6M health protocol in question is wearing a mask, washing hands with soap through running water, maintaining distance, staying away from crowds, reducing mobility and avoiding eating together.