Indonesia Highlights: Covid-19 Vaccination Program Continues during Ramadan: Indonesia's Ministry of Health | E484K Covid-19 Strain Detected in Indonesia | Indonesia to Disburse $27.6 Million Stimulus

KOMPAS.com – Indonesia will continue to carry out the Covid-19 vaccination program during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan throughout the country in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The government also confirmed that the E484K mutation, nicknamed “Eek” by some scientists, was found in Indonesia earlier this year, even before the more high-profile B.1.1.7 strain was traced in March.

While the country is struggling to cope with the Covid-19, efforts to accelerate its economic recovery continues. The government will disburse the Covid-19 stimulus package worth 400 billion rupiahs ($27.6 million) for the Indonesian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on April 20.

Below are excerpts from the stories in Indonesia, curated by Kompas.com editors:

Covid-19 Vaccination Program Continues during Ramadan: Indonesia's Ministry of Health

The Covid-19 jab drive will continue to take place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan throughout Indonesia, an official confirmed on Monday, April 5.

A spokesperson for the Covid-19 Mass Vaccination Program of the Ministry of Health Siti Nadia Tarmizi said that the fatwa (edict) of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) No. 13/2021 on the Covid-19 Vaccination Law mentioned that it is permissible for the Muslims who fast to receive the Covid-19 vaccine as the vaccination will not break the fast.

"The fatwa is stated that the government can carry out the vaccination program in the month of Ramadan to prevent the transmission of Covid-19," said Nadia on Monday.

Nadia went on to say that the vaccination could be carried out during the day. She explained that fasting provides health benefits or detoxification.

"I believe that even though we fast, the vaccine will not give side effects to the body," she said.

Furthermore, Nadia said there was no special preparation from the government to carry out vaccinations in the month of Ramadan. However, she said, adequate rest and pre-dawn meal by eating a balanced nutritious diet are recommended before one gets vaccinated in the month of Ramadan.

"We will still carry out the vaccination from morning to afternoon. Maybe it can also be done in the evening at the mosque as long as it will not disturb the worship during the month of Ramadan," she said.

Source: https://go.kompas.com/read/2021/04/05/194800774/covid-19-vaccination-program-continues-during-ramadan-indonesias-ministry-of.