The central government has urged people to remain alert for a third COVID-19 wave even though the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has categorized COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia as low.

“People, both who are in Indonesia and those who will enter the country, should always be disciplined in complying with the health protocols and all government regulations. There is no tolerance for those who break the rules,” Minister of Communication and Informatics, Johnny G. Plate, said in a written statement issued on Wednesday.

The current low COVID-19 transmission status in Indonesia must be used as a new motivation for the community so that it can recover and develop after the COVID-19 pandemic ends, he added.

According to epidemiologist Kamaluddin Latief, the low rate of virus transmission in Indonesia would encourage people to return to their activities and support the turning of the wheels of the economy.

The COVID-19 transmission rate also depends on the rate of vaccination and virus mutation, he noted.

“It should be underlined that the number of cases, the positivity rate, the rate of people with severe symptoms, and the rate of fatalities are so dynamic,” he emphasized.

For that reason, the campaign regarding COVID-19 vaccination must continue to be promoted, especially in peripheral areas, he said.

Latief also added that if later COVID-19 becomes endemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be controlled but it will still have the potential to turn into an epidemic.

Therefore, in addition to focusing on vaccination, the government must also encourage people to live a clean and healthy lifestyle, the epidemiologist said.

The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), as of November 3, 2021, at least 4,246,174 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the country, while 4,091,101 people have recovered, and 143,481 people have succumbed to the deadly virus.

Source: Antara News