JAKARTA, IO – The world is panicking over the new variants of COVID-19 Omicrons XBB from China. Countries in America and Europe remain alert, implementing strict fight protocols from China.
Several studies state that two of China’s worst COVID-19 Omicron variants, XBB 1.5 and BQ 1.1, have appeared in various world cities, such as New York, London, Paris, Sydney and Singapore. Should Indonesians be worried?
The United States, Australia, India, Japan, Canada, Malaysia, and Singapore have strictly implemented a negative test for fight passengers two days before arriving as of January 5, 2023.
The world only concentrated on four COVID-19 variants: Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Gamma, prior to Omicron in November 2021.
There were only Alpha and Delta variants caused an infection spike globally. But Omicron offshoots have appeared in various regions with their strange worrying mutations.
Unlike other countries across America and Europe, Indonesia chose not to be bothered by the emergence of new variants.
The country has admitted that the XBB variant has penetrated Indonesia since October 10, 2022. But, still, Indonesia opted to revoke the community restriction (PPKM) last December 30, 2022. The brave step was taken as the COVID variant counted to no longer endanger people’s lives.
President Jokowi blatantly visited Tanah Abang trading zone A, Jakarta, last January 2, 2023, without a mask on, showing confidence as COVID-19 has been harmless.