New COVID Variant Cicada Emerges: Has It Entered Indonesia Yet?

A new COVID-19 variant with the code BA.3.2, nicknamed “Cicada”, is currently under global scrutiny. The Ministry of Health assures that this variant has not yet been detected in Indonesia.

The Head of the Bureau of Communication and Public Information at the Ministry of Health, Aji Muhawarman, stated that the pandemic situation within the country remains controlled and shows no signs of increased risk.

“The BA.3.2 (Cicada) variant has not been found in Indonesia, and globally, it has not shown any increase in circulation or severity,” he said in an official statement on Thursday (2/4/2026).

Aji emphasised that the currently dominant variants in Indonesia are still considered low risk, namely XFG (57%), LF.7 (29%), and XFG 3.4.3 (14%).

Given this situation, he continued, the government does not see any urgency to impose tightening measures at entry points. Nevertheless, monitoring continues through routine surveillance, reporting from health facilities, and sample testing in laboratories.

“The situation remains controlled, so no special measures are required, but monitoring is still conducted rigorously,” said Aji.

The Ministry of Health continues to remind the public to stay alert by practising clean and healthy living behaviours (PHBS), such as handwashing, maintaining a healthy diet, getting sufficient rest, and wearing masks when ill or in crowded places.

The government also provides updates on infectious diseases that can be accessed by the public through the Ministry of Health’s official channels.