Preventing a Surge in New Cases

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo stated that two Indonesians were positively infected by a new type of coronavirus, at the Veranda of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, March 2, 2020.

The upcoming Christmas and New Year holiday raises question over the potential surge of new COVID-19 cases. A surge can be avoided if our citizens remain discipline.

Since early March 2020, when the first COVID-19 case emerged in the country, until December 2020, the management of the pandemic has been inconsistent. At one point, the implementation of health protocols was strict and disciplined but then became lax. Disciplining people depends on law enforcement.

Also read: Holiday, COVID and Consistency

During the early implementation of large scale social restrictions (PSBB) by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, starting the end of March, law enforcement was in high alert. People were also disciplined in following PSBB.

PSBB included the closure of schools and workplaces, limiting religious activity and restriction of activities in public places. The atmosphere was intense, especially in Jakarta as one of the epicenters.

Also read:Awareness more Essential

Over Idul Fitri, people remain disciplined but this depended on the monitoring by law enforcement personnel at the border of Jakarta, in line with the government’s call to restrict the Idul Fitri exodus.

As the time goes by, however, people’s discipline has eroded. Even, in some areas people refused to take the COVID-19 test, ignoring the fact that testing is the key to control the pandemic alongside tracing and treatment.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Traffic congestion from the direction of Jakarta to the Puncak area on the Jagorawi toll road exit section, Bogor Regency, West Java, Saturday (1/8/2020). The Eid Al Adha 2020 holiday makes the Puncak area crowded with visitors, especially from Jakarta.

Long holidays increased people’s mobility because they were bored and stressed having to stay home all the time. One of the long holidays was during Idul Adha on July 31.

The government’s restrictions on the exodus, which were effective during the Idul Fitri holiday, were ignored during Idul Adha. People who did not return to their hometowns during the Idul Fitri gathering decided to participate in the exodus during Idul Adha. High people mobility combined with poor discipline in implementing health protocols resulted in a surge of new COVID-19 cases in many regions. The surge occurred in Jakarta, East Java, Central Java, and West Sumatra.

Also read: Adhere to Health Protocols during Holidays

As Christmas nears, the government has urged people to stay at home while implementing strict health protocols. Some provinces have taken preventive measures by issuing regulations to anticipate COVID-19 infections during the Christmas and New Year holiday.

One factor that determines the success of our pandemic management is maintaining discipline during high mobility. The discipline in implementing health protocol includes washing hands regularly, maintaining physical distancing, and wearing mask.

Also read: Anticipating an Increase in Covid-19 Cases

It is time for the public to show solidarity and empathy with our medical professionals who have fought tirelessly on the front lines of mitigating the pandemic. There is an urgent need to maintain discipline to realize the concept of “productive and safe” during COVID-19, reflecting growing public activity while following strict health protocols.