The easing of restrictions was warmly welcomed in Indonesia, especially by transportation and tourism businesses. They hope that the business world will start to revive and become vibrant again.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
FAJAR RAMADHAN
Passengers undergo a document check of a negative Covid-19 test result at Terminal 2 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, Monday (12/21/2020).
The Indonesian government has begun to relax the rules for controlling Covid-19. There is now no need for domestic travelers using land, sea and air transportation to be tested.
The requirement is that travelers who are fully vaccinated with two doses do not need to get a Covid-19 test. Starting March 7, 2022, foreign travelers (PPLN) entering Bali do not need to undergo quarantine. The government will lift the quarantine policy for PPLN no later than April this year.
Last weekend, the government of Saudi Arabia lifted its Covid-19 restrictions on activities. People no longer need to maintain distance at mosques. Quarantine and PCR testing requirements for international travelers have also been lifted. This makes it easier for pilgrims traveling for umrah (minor haj). A number of European countries had earlier relaxed their restrictive policies, such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England, Ireland, France, Austria, and Switzerland. In Southeast Asia, Singapore has just done this.
The easing of restrictions was warmly welcomed in Indonesia, especially by transportation and tourism businesses. They hope that the business world will start to revive and become vibrant again. However, it should be remembered that the situation in the country is not yet safe. Covid-19 is considered to be under control if the positivity rate is below 5 percent. Indonesia's positivity rate as of March 8, 2022 was still 13.3 percent. Although it is declining, the fatality rate is still high.
Calculating from the total population of 273 million, only 54 percent of the population has been vaccinated. Meanwhile, only 6 percent of these have received their booster doses.
Indonesia's vaccination coverage is around 71.3 percent of the targeted 208 million people, or 148.5 million people. Calculating from the total population of 273 million, only 54 percent of the population has been vaccinated. Meanwhile, only 6 percent of these have received their booster doses.
Compare this to Denmark, where more than 60 percent of citizens have received a booster dose. In Norway, 91 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. The United Kingdom has already reached 84.6 percent. In Saudi Arabia, around 68 percent of citizens are fully vaccinated and 28 percent have received a booster dose.
MUHAMMAD SAMSUL HADI
Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, while mask-clad and along specific pre-ordained rings as measures due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, on August 2, 2020 on the final day of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. – Massive crowds in previous years triggered deadly stampedes during the ritual, but this year only up to 10,000 Muslims are taking part after millions of international pilgrims were barred because of the covid-19 pandemic crisis.
The provisions on the one-day quarantine for umrah pilgrims and PPLN, as well as the plan to lift quarantine for PPLNs, need to be reviewed. The same applies to the Covid-19 testing requirements. According to data at the Health Ministry, sourced from the Religious Affairs Ministry, port health offices and quarantine hotels, 10,290 pilgrims tested positive for Covid-19 from 17 Jan. to 4 March 2022. The incubation period of Omicron is known to be 3-5 days. However, the virus can be transmitted 1-2 days before symptoms appear. The one-day quarantine has been unable to ensure that people are free from Covid-19.
Meanwhile, not all are disciplined citizens who adhere to the health protocols.
The number of Covid-19 cases could soar again. In general, people receive visits from neighbors and relatives on their return from umrah or haj. Meanwhile, not all are disciplined citizens who adhere to the health protocols.
With regard to easing the restrictions in transitioning to the resumption of normal activities, the government's promise to ensure increased vaccination coverage for second and booster doses, increased surveillance, testing and tracing and ensuring the response of health facilities needs to be carried out in a consistent manner. It must be ensured that the rate of Covid-19 transmission is under control. Likewise, the readiness of health facilities in coping with a potential increase in cases must be ensured. Otherwise, it will disrupt economic recovery.
