Member of the Indonesian House Commission V, Athari Gauthi Ardi. Photo: Dok/Man

Member of the Indonesian House Commission V, Athari Gauthi Ardi, calls upon Indonesian people to remain calm amid the spread of the new COVID-19 variant namely B.1.1.529 or the Omicron. Nevertheless, Ardi also warns people to maintain stricter health protocols and to get vaccinated for those who have not. 

Ardi urges everyone to stay vigilant in facing the spread of the new COVID-19 variant. “We hope that the discovery of this new COVID-19 variant will not lead to unnecessary debates,” Ardi pointed out in a written statement received by Parlementaria, Tuesday (30/11/2021). 

Furthermore, the member of the National Mandate Party Faction (F-PAN) of the Indonesian House urges people to remain calm, asserting that they survived the similarly-challenging situations in the past during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Keep in our mind that we have experienced this kind of situation before. From the previous experience, it is important that we keep implementing health protocols, and to get vaccinated for those who have not. I believe by implementing strict health protocols, we can overcome COVID-19 once and for all. “Just hold your head up and keep the health protocols in check,” Ardi said. 

The spread of the Omicron virus (B.1.1.5.2.9.) has been detected in 13 countries and prompted WHO to declare it as a Variant of Concern (VoC). The Indonesian government has since then decided to tighten up the arrival procedures for overseas travellers and took stern measures through travel and international visit limitations to keep the new variant at bay. (pun/sf)