DENPASAR, Bali (BPN) – Indonesia President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo stated the country should make peace with COVID-19. This is after the president discussed with experts in the country who said that when the number of cases is down, it does not mean the curve will flatten, but it will fluctuate.
“It’s possible that the number still goes up and down. It means until the effective vaccine is found, we must make peace with COVID-19,” said President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, as quoted from the Presidential Secretariate press release on Thursday.
According to the President, the country is fortunate because from the beginning the government chose the policy of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB), rather than regional quarantine or lockdown.
PSBB is a restriction for activities in public areas or facilities, especially on the number of people and physical distancing. It means that with PSBB, the community can still do their activities, but it is limited. The community must also be conscious not to gather on a large scale.
“I was informed that although the main road was quiet, in the village, the situation is still crowded. People are still gathering around in the village. Whereas, physical interaction must be reduced, must keep a distance, must use a face mask, must wash hands frequently after the activity,” Jokowi continued.
These efforts must continue to be done to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, Jokowi also wants the economy to keep going.
For this reason, the community can still have limited activities but must be disciplined in complying with the health protocol.
“The main thing is to follow the health protocol with discipline. People can have limited activities, but again follow the health protocol,” he said.
[…] Meanwhile, Chairman of BTB Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, said that the discussion about things that need to be prepared before the reopening is normal, given the president’s call also that people should start making peace with COVID-19. […]