Avoid traveling abroad to prevent Omicron surge, said police chief tells people

Jakarta (ANTARA) - National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo appealed to people to refrain from traveling abroad to prevent an increase in Omicron cases in Indonesia.

"If there is nothing urgent, we recommend avoiding traveling abroad. For those returning from abroad, please carry out quarantine obligations properly so that we can keep the whole community from being infected," Prabowo said in a statement here on Friday.

He made the statement after reviewing COVID-19 vaccinations at Sulamadaha Beach, Ternate city, North Maluku, the same day.

The former Banten Police chief said that regions with vaccination coverage below 70 percent must push immunizations to meet the target set by the central government, though every province in Indonesia faces its own challenges in this matter.

"We understand the various obstacles faced by many regions. Starting from weather factors, geography, then people's activities. Of course, it takes hard work," he noted.

Therefore, it is important for all stakeholders and the community to work together in dealing with the Omicron variant to control transmission, he emphasized.

Controlling COVID-19 transmission is important to restart community activities as well as move the economic wheel, he said.

"This requires hard work and cooperation. Please implement the health protocols and immediately seek vaccination for those who have not," Prabowo reiterated.

During his visit, he also expressed his appreciation to the Governor of North Maluku, Abdul Gani Kasuba, who took part in the vaccination process to demonstrate his support in vaccination acceleration.

"Praise to God, we are very happy that today, together with the Governor, we are witnessing the vaccination acceleration here. We hope this event will accelerate vaccination coverage in the North Maluku region," he remarked.