Prevent Mu Variant, Quarantine Policy Tightened

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Wiku Adisasmito, Spokesperson for Handling Covid-19 revealed that the Mu variant has not been found in Indonesia. The statement is based on the results of the Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) as of September 6, 2021.

Although it has not been found in Indonesia, the government continues to prevent the entry of this variant through tightening national quarantine policies such as entry tests, exit tests, and vaccine requirements.

Wiku said that these efforts can only be successful if they are accompanied by an active role from the community who maintains 3Ms discipline (wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining distance) and vaccinations.

As additional information, the Mu variant is the fifth Covid-19 virus’ variant which is classified as a VoI.

WHO added the Mu or B.1.621 variant as a variant of interest (VoI) on August 30, 2021. It is known that the Mu variant was first identified in Colombia in January 2021.

WHO revealed that this variant makes up less than 0.1 percent of Covid-19 infections globally. That figure is expected to start growing in Colombia and Ecuador, where they account for 39 percent and 13 percent of Covid-19 cases, respectively.

“The (Mu) variant is included in the VoI category, is a variant that undergoes changes in its genetic composition. These changes are predicted to affect the characteristics of the virus. Thus, indications of Mu’s characteristics, such as being more virulent than the Delta variant or being able to evade immunity, are still estimates and are still being studied more deeply,”

said Wiku.