Recently, the emergence of a new variant of Covid-19 mutation is again shocking the world. It reminds people about the serious problem in which the world is collectively facing still exists. This new Covid-19 mutation has spread in a few countries such as India and England. Therefore, health protocols could have been applied more vigorously.
In the last few days, there was breaking news that was quite shocking about a hundred foreigners from India who came to Indonesia in the middle of the highest Covid-19 cases in their country. Some of them were tested positive for Covid-19. Bayu reckoned that this phenomenon would be very influential for the increasing cases in Indonesia because this new variant of Covid-19 mutation can be more rapid and resistant to body immunity.
"The government should have been strictly closed in-access for people who have a passport from India or England," he said on Tuesday (27/4).
"This is what we should worry about; new cases from abroad will be too risky in bringing a new variant of Covid-19 to Indonesia," he added. He also explained that this new Covid-19 variant called B1617 was considered in the variant of interest highly monitored by WHO (World Health Organization) because it was more harmful and can affect the vaccine effectiveness.
"We're still observing how severe the new variant's influences are," he explained.
However, Bayu also appreciated the government's effort to temporarily close in-access for foreigners who had once had a trip to India 14 days before visiting Indonesia. Not only that, but the government also implemented quarantine for 14 days in a separate location for Indonesians who came from India.
He also suggested that the government monitor the quarantine process strictly and take bold action against those trying to bootleg people from high-risk countries.
"Penalty should have been more firmly applied for those who violate quarantine rules or try to falsify documents," he explained.
As a way to prevent this phenomenon even worse, there should be a strict limitation by only allowing Indonesian citizens from abroad or foreigners with a specific purpose such as diplomatic affairs and require to conduct a quarantine period during 14 days.
"It is mandatory. Everyone from abroad is required to conduct quarantine for 14 days, including placeman," he firmly said.
Besides England and India, the government should also pay attention to the in-access for foreigners or Indonesian citizens from countries with increasing Covid-19 cases such as Japan, Thailand, Brazil, and Chili.
Author: Gloria