IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo unrolled five requirements a region should meet before entering a new normal era in a bid to anticipate the boomerang effect in tackling the Covid-19 outbreak.
He asserted that the reopening of regions to a productive and safe community from the coronavirus infection must be through strict and careful stages.
“Let’s not make wrong decisions that lead to a hike in Covid-19 cases because we don’t carry out the steps well,” said the President while visiting the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Office or Graha BNPB in East Jakarta, Wednesday, June 10.
- Dissemination of health protocols
The first step to a new normal era, he explained, is that orders to use face masks, practice physical distancing, wash hands, and avoid crowds must be announced massively and are followed by simulations.
“I have ordered TNI (Military) Commander and Police Chief to mobilize officers in regions to remind the public of health protocols,” he said.
- Determination of the right time for the new normal
Jokowi demanded regional heads coordinate with the national Covid-19 mitigation task force before enforcing a new normal phase. The task force will first review data on the virus cases, particularly the disease’s basic reproduction number (R0) and effective reproduction number (Rt).
- Priority scale of areas to be reopened
The government, he added, will not allow all regions to adopt a new normal phase. Besides, sectors and activities in each region will be reopened gradually.
- Consolidation and coordination
Coordination between the central and regional governments up to the village or community level must be strengthened. All elements should be involved in order to work together in dealing with the issues.
- Routine evaluation
President Jokowi underlined the importance of routine evaluation on the enforcement of a new normal era along with the implementation of strict health protocols. He assessed that the success key to mitigating the Covid-19 outbreak depends on the public discipline and health protocols.
“I need to remind this, if we record an increase in new cases later in the future, we will instantly impose restrictions again,” he remarked.
EGI ADYATAMA
