Jokowi: Indonesia Needs 6 Months before Treating Covid-19 as Endemic Disease

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Monday, April 25 that Indonesia will need a six-month transition period before entering an endemic stage of Covid-19.

The government will use the transition period for determining what’s to be done next.
“There will be a transition period of about six months. We will see how it goes,” said Jokowi after an inspection of the location of the Formula E Circuit in Jakarta.

“When conditions allow, mask-wearing will not be required in outdoor settings. But, [masks] must be worn in indoor public spaces,” he added.

Also read: Indonesia’s Drug Agency Extends Shelf-Life of 6 Covid Vaccines to 6 Months

The President said that the number of cases has been declining. Therefore, the annual exodus to other provinces for the celebration of Idul Fitri is allowed this year as active cases of the Covid-19 reached below 20,000.

However, the Head of State said that the transition period must still be carried out carefully. The government does not want to immediately lift the masking requirement as it is done in several countries.

“Unlike other countries, masks remain mandatory here,” he said.

“There are stages to follow. We don’t need to rush. We have our experiences when coping with the Delta variant, and Omicron variant. We must remain vigilant,” he said.

(Writer: Dian Erika Nugraheny | Editor: Dani Prabowo)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2022/04/25/17023621/jokowi-sebut-masa-transisi-menuju-endemi-di-indonesia-berlangsung-6-bulan.