VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (voinews): Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, has urged the public to remain vigilant against the potential for COVID-19 transmission, especially ahead of the 2023 Eid al-Fitr homecoming period.

"The community still needs to strive to anticipate the potential for COVID-19 transmission because, to date, some people are still exposed to COVID-19," he said after chairing a ministerial meeting here on Wednesday.

So far, the government has not seen the need to issue any circular regulating the implementation of health protocols during the fasting month of Ramadan and the holy day of Eid al-Fitr 1444 Hijri, he informed.

The fasting month started on March 23, 2023. Meanwhile, the Islamic holy day is estimated to fall on April 22.

"Hence, everything has returned to normal, still, I ask everyone to maintain comfort and safety as well as anticipate the possibility of being exposed to COVID-19," the coordinating minister added.

He also appealed to the public to get booster vaccinations.

“…however, I do not think that other (preventive) measures, such as crowd monitoring, health scanning, or tracing (of the close contacts of the exposed people) are required," he said.

Meanwhile, assistant deputy for health service improvement at the ministry, Nia Reviani, emphasized the importance of increasing the COVID-19 booster vaccination coverage ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday period.

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 from April 19 to 25, 2023, she explained.

“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.

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