VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate accentuated that the tightening of rules on public activities during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays was the government's measure to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government is focusing on bringing the pandemic situation under control in a bid to ensure that the upcoming G20 Presidency ran smoothly.

“Public activity restrictions (PPKM) are not the way but the tightening of rules during Christmas and New Year is. A ministerial regulation from the Ministry of Home Affairs will specifically regulate public activities during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays by still controlling or being aware of COVID-19,” Plate said in his statement here, Wednesday.

At the cabinet meeting, the government has decided to focus on overseeing the situation during Christmas and New Year to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

The decision was taken based on profound observation and bearing in mind the slopping trend of the pandemic situation in Indonesia in addition to several new pieces of information that indicated the new Omicron variant is not as worrisome a matter.

Plate stressed that the public should stay aware and strictly follow the health protocols. He also reminded the public to not become trapped by the current achievement.

At the last cabinet meeting, the government had decided to cancel the plan of implementing level 3 PPKM. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently preparing new regulations.

First, only fully vaccinated citizens can travel. To this end, the minister has encouraged the public to get vaccinated promptly.

Public celebrations for Christmas and New Year are banned, but people are still allowed to worship on a limited scale. Places of worship are open, with a maximum of 50 percent of their normal capacity.

Moreover, sports and arts events with spectators are prohibited from being held.

Lastly, the government affirmed that restaurants and malls can still open, with a maximum capacity of 75 percent during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

In addition, to prevent the entry of the Omicron variant, the government has also tightened the country’s entry gates. (Antaranews)