By: Abdul Syukur)*
The government carried out layered disaster mitigation to combat the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus. This step was taken to anticipate the spread of the virus in Indonesia.
We have been through this pandemic for almost 2 years and the Covid-19 virus has mutated tremendously, from alpha, beta, gamma, delta variants, to the newest Omicron. Virus mutation occurs because there are still infected and not vaccinated. Virus mutation is a change in genetic structure and structure, and aims to attack the human immune system.
One of the concerns about mutated viruses is that they’re even more terrifying, because they spread more quickly, especially if someone hasn’t been vaccinated. Corona variant Omicron should be wary of because it is the result of a mutation, which can cause patients to be physically tired. But you have to be more careful because there is no anosmia, aka loss of the sense of smell, so a person can be an asymptomatic person (OTG) without realizing it.
To prevent the entry of the Omicron variant of Corona, the government made several strategies. Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (FKUI) Professor Tjandra Yoga Aditama stated that WHO (World Health Organization) calls for layered mitigation to deal with the Omicron variant of Corona. This means that there are layered precautions to prevent new Corona clusters from forming.
The first step is to avoid crowds, and indeed this is one of the points in the health protocol. Professor Tjandra reminded that the easing due to the decline in the PPKM level yesterday should be watched out for. There may be a crowd but it should be as short as possible. In the sense that it can be limited, such as eating rules in a restaurant, a maximum of 20 minutes.
The crowd should also be as minimal as possible. For example, when there is a wedding party, it is not permissible to invite hundreds, even thousands of guests. A maximum of only 50% of the building’s capacity in order to maintain a distance, and everyone from the bridal couple, officers, to guests, must wear masks. If possible, guests and officers are tested rapidly first to be sure that they are negative for Corona.
Professor Tjandra added, if there is a crowd in a closed room, the windows must be open. In a sense, in the office, air circulation should be improved and not only rely on ventilation, but it is allowed to open windows. The reason is because the Covid-19 virus can be transmitted through stuffy and dirty air.
The next prevention is to tighten security at the entrance to Indonesia, especially at ports and airports. Foreign nationals from South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and the surrounding areas are not allowed to enter Indonesia temporarily, because the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus was found there. Likewise with Indonesian citizens who have traveled there.
Meanwhile, citizens of other countries may enter Indonesia but must quarantine in a hotel. The quarantine duration has also been increased, from only 5 days to 10 days. This regulation also applies to Indonesian citizens who have traveled abroad. This is to prevent the entry of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus into Indonesia.
The public is also advised to remain disciplined in implementing the 10M health protocol, such as wearing masks, keeping a distance, washing hands frequently, changing clothes, and reducing mobility. Especially on year-end holidays, don’t be desperate to go out of town because there will be insulation.
Prevention of the entry of the Omicron variant of Corona is carried out by the government in various ways. The reason is, this virus has arrived in Singapore and should not enter Indonesia. Layered mitigation must be implemented as a preventive measure. The public must also be disciplined in health protocols so they don’t get any variants of Corona.
)* The author is a contributor to the Nusa Bangsa Institute
