TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo underlined the importance to limit social interaction or social distancing to prevent the coronavirus contagion or COVID-19 from further spreading in the country. Even so, he asked people not to interpret work from home (WFH) program as a vacation.

"The policy on studying at home, working from home, and performing prayers at home must not be seen as an opportunity to go for holidays," said the President when opening the meeting of the coronavirus task force report carried out via a video conference today, March 19.

He lamented that many people were on vacation when the policy kicked off on Monday, March 16, citing that tourist destinations in Puncak, Bogor and Carita Beach, Banten were crowded by visitors that day.

"This [perception] will create a public crowd that increases the risk of the coronavirus spread," the state head remarked.

According to him, the government's top priority at the moment was to avert the COVID-19 cases from further rising. Thus, reducing public mobility from one place to another is very essential. The dissemination to limit social interaction and minimize mass gathering must be intensified continuously.

Jokowi opined that work from home, perform prayers at home, and study at home policies are efforts to limit social interactions and so people should not misuse these policies.

EGI ADYATAMA