100 Days of Coronavirus in Indonesia: Lessons and Good News

KOMPAS.com – It has been nearly 100 days since the first early cases of Coronavirus in Indonesia was first confirmed.

The country’s first case was announced by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowo) on 2 March 2020.

Since then, Indonesia Coronavirus-related cases continue to surge and experts are saying the archipelagic nation has not yet reached the peak of the curve.

Read Also: Indonesia Coronavirus Cases Break Three Records in One Week

As of 13 June, cases of Coronavirus in Indonesia have surpassed 37,000 infections in which 2,091 people have died.

Deaths resulting from Coronavirus in Indonesia are also the highest among the ASEAN Member-States (AMS).

Read Also: Indonesia’s Coronavirus Death Toll Hits 2000 Mark

While there is good news after over three months, there are plenty of lessons to be learned for Indonesia to improve.

Lessons for Covid-19 Management in Indonesia

When it was first announced that Coronavirus in Indonesia had already spread, the government and society undermined the significant situation.

A spokesperson for the Covid-19 Task Force at UNS Hospital, Tonang Dwi Ardyanto assessed that the approach to handling the early cases of Coronavirus in Indonesia lacked seriousness.

It was only until the second month did the government begin to take a staunch approach in managing the global pandemic.

The central government imposed large-scale social distancing restrictions (PSBB) and conducted mass socialization for its Clean and Healthy Lifestyle Habits initiative.

Unfortunately for Indonesia, the lockdown-style approach did not go hand-in-hand with aggressive testing and contact tracing measures.

Unrest over lockdown grew nearing the final days of Eid ul-Fitr, Indonesia’s most important holiday celebration.