By: Aulia Hawa )*
The entry of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus led to various regulations being revised, one of which was about traveling. With the observance of travel rules during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is hoped that the spread of the Corona virus can be suppressed as much as possible.
Have you heard the news that the artist troupe contracted the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus after traveling to Turkey? The news was shocking because the public initially knew that cases of Omicron were “only” found in South Africa, Zimbabwe and surrounding countries. However, this new variant of Corona has spread throughout the world, including Turkey.
Therefore, the government strictly forbids all people (WNI and WNA) to travel abroad. This is intended to break the chain of transmission of Omicron, because of the 200 cases, the majority were obtained from those who had just arrived from abroad. When they were quarantined and tested quickly, they were found to be infected with the Omicron variant of Corona and were surprised because they felt healthy.
Omicron is different from other variants of Corona because most people without symptoms do not feel anosmia (loss of the ability to sense smell). However, it can spread up to 70 times faster than the delta variant of the Covid-19 virus. Therefore, the government has tightened travel regulations for the public, not only for overseas but also for mobility within the country.
Even though there is no micro-inhibition or PPKM as in the past few months, the government asks the public to be aware of Omicron’s ferocity. Coordinating Minister for Marives Luhut B Pandjaitan stated that everyone should reduce mobility (even if only within the country). In a sense, do not leave the house except for important matters, such as for work or school.
Minimization of mobility must be done because doctors have often explained that an increase in mass movement can cause Corona transmission, including the Omicron variant. We certainly do not want to be infected with a dangerous disease that threatens life, right? Therefore, let’s slow down and slowly move at home.
For example, after school, children should not be invited to eat in restaurants or shop at the mall, but go straight home. If you want to eat well, you can order via the application and shopping is also very easy to do through the marketplace. Don’t go on a trip, either, before the Omicron case subsides, especially since children are relatively more susceptible to infection (when they haven’t received the vaccine yet).
Minister Luhut continued, to support the minimization of citizen mobility, offices could change the rules from 100% WFO (work from office) to only 75%. In a sense, if the work can be done by staff remotely and the results are still maximal, then it is better to work from home again.
The reduction in the work from office quota is carried out to support the rules for minimizing community mobility, because if they work from home, they will rarely leave the house. Besides being able to reduce mass movement, this rule can also reduce crowds in the office and minimize the transmission of Corona.
It is hoped that the changes to the regulations will not make the public feel disappointed because they feel restrained by the government. Please understand that these rules are made to protect the health of everyone. Rather than later being exposed to the Omicron variant Corona which can cause mass transmission and finally a third wave of attacks occurs.
The public is asked to minimize mobility and not to travel abroad. Obey these rules because if everyone is disciplined, applies health protocols, and has been vaccinated twice, then the pandemic period will end quickly.
)* The author is a contributor to the Press Circle and Cikini Students
