TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has reportedly asked the World Health Organization (WHO) to shed light on the results of research suggesting possible airborne transmission of the COVID-19.

The government’s spokesman for the virus handling, Achmad Yurianto, stated that airborne transmission means the virus can be spread through microdroplets produced during breathing, talking, sneezing, and coughing.

“We are communicating with WHO. This virus case actually tends to spread through droplets, tiny droplets that can sustain longer in a room,” said Yurianto on a live broadcast of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) on Friday, July 10.

Yurianto said virus transmission through microdroplets is likely to occur in a poorly ventilated room since the SARS-CoV-2 can sustain longer in the air.

According to him, people in such rooms are at the highest risk to get infected with the virus, especially those who are not wearing face masks. Those who do not wear masks properly are also at high risk of the COVID-19.

Therefore, he appealed to the public to always wear face masks according to the rules. People are also strongly advised to ensure good ventilation in rooms. Yurianto suggested the use of a fan and open windows every morning to let the good air come in.

“This is our effort so that the air in a room is not trapped for days without good ventilation,” Achmad Yurianto underlined.

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M ROSSENO AJI