Indonesian Government Advises Parents to Keep Toddlers Away from Shopping Centers

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Spokesperson for the National Covid-19 Task Force, Achmad Yurianto, cautions the Indonesian public to keep their toddlers away from crowded areas such as shopping centers.

Adhering to the measure would prevent toddlers from across Indonesia from contracting the Covid-19 virus.

“There is no need to invite our toddlers to visit shopping centers,” Achmad reiterated during a press conference in Jakarta on June 20.

Read also: Malls in Jakarta to Reopen on 15 June

Achmad voiced the same message for Indonesia’s senior citizens who have the highest risk of contracting the Covid-19 virus.

Those with a pre-existing condition are also one of the most vulnerable groups amid the deadly spread of the Covid-19 virus.

The new normal transition has led to the reopening of public activity with the aim of returning Indonesia’s productivity level.

Read also: WHO Cautions Indonesia on New Normal Preparations

The goal is not, however, to instill euphoria among the society that would then lead to citizens ignoring health protocols.

Hence, the Indonesian government has asked the public to avoid crowds and to stay home whenever possible.

During the press conference, Achmad Yurianto reminded the public that the Covid-19 infection rate in Indonesia remains high.

Read also: What's Fuelling the Rise in Indonesia's Covid-19 Cases?

On June 20, the Indonesian government recorded an additional 1,226 new Covid-19 cases, rounding out the total number of Covid-19 cases to 45,029.

Nearly 18,000 patients have recovered from the Covid-19 virus while over 2,400 people have died from the disease. 56 patients died from the Covid-19 virus alone on June 20.

Wear your mask

One of the more enforced Covid-19-related health protocols in Indonesia is the use of a mask when stepping outside.

Achmad Yurianto underlined the need for Indonesians to understand the importance of wearing a mask as a means of protecting themselves amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Indonesian government has regularly reminded the public to practice the country’s health protocols as it grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.

Read also: Indonesia’s Covid-19 Cases Officially Highest in ASEAN

Another health protocol that was raised during the press conference on June 20 was the regular washing of hands.

“We might not realize that we’re touching something which is why handwashing is extremely important,” said Achmad Yurianto.

Physical distancing is an extra set of measures that Indonesians have been advised to abide by.

Maintaining a distance of 1-2 meters in the new normal transition will protect an individual from being infected by the Covid-19 virus.

Achmad asked the public to educate themselves about the Covid-19-related health protocols and set an example for one’s family members in order for the new normal to feel less of a foreign concept. 

(Writer: Haryanti Puspa Sari | Editor: Sandro Gatra) 

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/06/20/18411661/pemerintah-pakai-masker-agar-aman-dari-covid-19-bukan-karena-takut-ditegur