Jakarta – The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Health, continues to strengthen the surveillance system to detect the spread of Covid-19 early, in response to rising cases in several Asian countries such as Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong.
Head of the Ministry of Health’s Communication and Public Information Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, stated that based on monitoring up to the 19th week of 2025, the situation in Indonesia remains under control.
“We have strengthened infectious disease surveillance, including Covid-19, through sentinel systems and monitoring at the country’s entry points,” Aji explained.
Although there are no travel restrictions currently, Aji reminded the public to exercise caution when traveling, especially to countries experiencing case surges.
“We encourage people to follow health protocols in their destination countries and postpone travel if feeling unwell,” he added.
The Ministry of Health also emphasized preventive measures such as handwashing, wearing masks when coughing or having a cold, and promptly getting checked if experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Covid-19 booster vaccinations remain recommended, especially for the elderly and other vulnerable groups.
Ministry spokesperson, Dr. Widyawati, affirmed that despite the rising cases in some Asian countries, Indonesia remains in a controlled situation.
“However, vigilance remains important, particularly for the elderly and those with underlying health conditions,” she said.
She also noted that the circulating subvariants MB1.1 and KP2.18 do not show more severe symptoms compared to previous variants.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, confirmed a slight increase in Covid-19 cases detected through hospital surveillance.
“There is indeed an increase, but it is not as significant as in Singapore,” said Minister Budi. He also noted that the detected Omicron JR1 subvariant has a low fatality rate.
As a precaution, the Ministry of Health has issued a circular to all health offices to enhance vigilance and actively report case findings.
Additionally, international travelers continue to be monitored via the SatuSehat Health Pass platform.
“The public need not panic but must remain cautious. We ensure that early detection, reporting, and preparedness systems continue to operate to maintain national safety,” concluded Dr. Widyawati.
