BANDUNG, unpas.ac.id – Ahead of the 2021 Christmas and 2022 New Year holidays, the government is pushing to reduce mobility to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, which was recently detected in Indonesia.
The emergence of the Omicron variant certainly surprised many parties, especially when the government has previously cancelled the Level 3 Restriction of People’s Activities during this holiday. It was considered by the fact that Covid-19 pandemic situation in Indonesia was getting better.
Although the Restriction was cancelled, government has determined few regulations to avoid the potential of increasing cases or mobility, such as restriction for taking leave-days for state apparatuses and employees of state-owned enterprises, capacity restriction in several tourist destinations, as well as the closing of city square during new year.
In addition, people are urged to be careful, stay discipline and obey the health protocol rule. They are expected not to go too far during the holidays. If they are forced to travel during the holiday, they must conduct an independent assessment of themselves; for example, knowing their health conditions and estimating mobility risks.
As a response to this, Rector of Universitas Pasundan Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Eddy Jusuf Sp., M.Si., M.Kom., IPU said that Kemendikburistek has already issued the announcement letter regarding the learning process ahead of Christmas and new year holidays in schools and colleges.
Things written in the letter are similar to the regulations which are set by the government at certain points; one of which is by not allowing the staffs to take day-leaves, during and after Christmas and new year holidays.
“The regulations certainly consider the factor of preventions, since we are currently facing new variant of Covid-19 virus. Therefore, from 24 December 2021 to 2 January 2022, hold yourselves at home, do not leave the house. If you are exposed [by the virus], it would be hard for you, as well,” he said, after the launching of Rector’s new office at Campus II Tamansari, on Monday, 20 December 2021.
Seeing the fact that all teachers and academic staffs in Unpas has been vaccinated, the Rector also urges to all academic civitas to pay attention to government regulation during the holidays.
The Rector stated, following to government regulation, that the holiday schedule in Unpas which was supposed to start after the Mid-Semester Examination (UTS) was also cancelled. Teachers who have an agenda abroad were temporarily suspended.
“We have made efforts to build group immunity in Unpas internally, it is just a matter of returning to each other’s awareness. Please avoid crowds and traveling first,” he concluded. (Reta)*
