Jakarta Predicted to Be Epicenter of Local Omicron Transmission

TheIndonesia.co - The Ministry of Health said it will accelerate the distribution of booster shots to people in Jakarta and its satellite cities as the capital is predicted to be the epicenter of local Omicron transmission.

Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin said his office will prioritize Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) to receive booster doses immediately to anticipate the highly contagious Omicron from creating a new wave.

“In addition to health protocol implementation and surveillance, [we] also work to accelerate booster shots for all Jabodetablek residents to ensure they’re prepared when Omicron cases increase swiftly and significantly,” Sadikin said in Jakarta on Sunday, January 16, as reported by Antara.

The Minister also said that the majority of local Omicron transmissions, or more than 90 percent, is predicted to occur in Jakarta and will, inevitably and subsequently, impact its satellite cities. Therefore, taking preventive measures, including booster acceleration, has become the government’s recent focus.

The public is expected to more strictly use the PeduliLindungi app which can support contact tracing effort by authorities when a new case is reported.

Lastly, Sadikin warned people against traveling abroad when it’s not urgently necessary.

“Do virtual meeting whenever possible as it will help slowing down Omicron transmission that will be very fast in Jabodetabek within the next few weeks,” he concluded.