By: Rivaldi Andrian )*
The Omicron Variant Corona Virus, which was first discovered in Africa, has now spread and is known to be one of the causes of the spike in Covid-19 cases in various countries. The public is also required to postpone travel abroad to prevent transmission of Omicron.
We have been through a pandemic for almost 2 years and one way to prevent transmission of Corona is to reduce mobility, including traveling abroad. The reason is because when traveling, the virus will spread more quickly. If in the past what was feared was the Delta variant of Corona which could be transmitted only by passing OTG (people without symptoms), then now there is Omicron which can be transmitted 70 times faster.
Omicron’s ferocity made many people horrified and there have been more than 200 cases of this variant of Corona in Indonesia. Although there have been no reports of deaths from Omicron, we must be vigilant. Don’t get exposed to Omicron or other variants of the Covid-19 virus. Therefore, the government set a ban on traveling abroad, because the majority of cases were obtained from those who returned from traveling from there.
The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy stated that people should postpone going abroad. Especially if the goal is ‘only’ traveling (not for important work matters), because in Indonesia itself there are still many hidden gems or places to travel that can be explored by travelers.
Indeed, initially Omicron was only found in South Africa. Zimbabwe, and other surrounding countries. However, variants of this evil virus have spread to Turkey, England, Malaysia, and many other countries. Just cancel the plan to go abroad (even though there are no cases of Omicron found there) because we could get infected on the way home (from other passengers on the plane).
Indeed, after returning from abroad, everyone must quarantine at the Athlete’s House or a hotel designated by the Government for 10 days. This is to monitor whether they are exposed to Corona, especially the Omicron variant. But isn’t prevention better than cure? Rather than treating hundreds of Omicron patients it is better to prevent transmission.
Just imagine when someone is desperate to go abroad, then when they return home they can infect not only their immediate family, but also their co-workers, neighbors, etc. In the past the researchers said that Omicron could transmit 5 times faster but they revised it, because the latest research results show that this variant can transmit 70 times faster than the delta.
Do not be selfish and still insist on traveling abroad, because the impact will be very bad. If many are reckless, we might be hit by a third wave of Corona attacks, and epidemiologists have indeed predicted that there will be another Corona storm, in February or March 2022.
If there is a third wave of Corona it will be very scary. First, Lebaran will soon be over and don’t let Omicron have a ban on going home for the third time. Second, the Corona attack can paralyze the economy, even though we have started to improve ourselves and revive the country’s finances.
The ferocity of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus has begun to take lives and although there have been no reports of deaths in Indonesia, we must increase our vigilance. Don’t travel abroad until the pandemic is completely over so you don’t get Omicron and then transmit it. Stay patient and maintain health protocols so you don’t get Corona.
)* The author is a contributor to Pertiwi Institute