Bali has tightened vigilance at all entry points amid concerns over the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus, Head of the Public Relations Division of the Indonesian Police Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo has said.

“To face the new variant of COVID-19, Omicron, the President has pressed, and the National Police (Polri) has been tasked with conducting surveillance and also tightening all entrances, including at airports, seaports, and land,” he informed at a press conference at the Apurva Kempinski Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday.

He said the tightening is also in line with preparations for the implementation of the G20 Summit in 2022.

“Don’t let the Omicron variant enter Indonesia. From the results of research conveyed by the President, it can be said that this variant attacks 80 percent of people who have not been vaccinated. Then, 60 percent of those who are susceptible to this variant are under five years old, and the group vulnerable to fatality caused by the virus are those who are over 50 years old,” Prasetyo informed.

He emphasized that Omicron needs to be monitored and that health protocols are essential in the wake of its emergence. In addition, the vaccination coverage in all provinces is expected to reach the target of 70 percent, especially vaccinations among the elderly because they are considered the most vulnerable compared to other age groups, he said.

The tightening of rules applies not only to Indonesian citizens, Prasetyo informed. Foreigners entering Indonesian territory will be supervised by the central task force, he said. For that reason, he emphasized that air, land, and sea entrances must remain the main points of security.

The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to data provided by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of December 3, 2021, at least 4,257,243 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the country, while 4,105,680 people have recovered, and 143,858 people have succumbed to the deadly virus.

Source: Antara News