TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Gerakan Media Lawan Covid-19 or Media Against Covid-19 Movement launched a campaign today entitled "Hati-hati Makan Bersama'', or literally means "Be Careful When Dining Out Together", in an effort to suppress the spread of a new coronavirus variant in Indonesia during pandemic times.

The campaign was published simultaneously on various media platforms, including television networks, radio, magazines, newspapers, online media, and social media. Some 100 national and local media reportedly joined the movement.

“This action follows up on the previous #MediaLawanCovid19 (#MediaAgainstCovid19) campaigns which started on March 24, 2020,” as quoted from the movement’s press release on Monday.

The previous campaigns were also related to the call for the implementation of the health protocols, such as maintaining distance, refrain from going for homecoming trip or mudik, and wearing face masks.

The current campaign was in collaboration with the Gerakan Pakai Masker (GPM) or the Wear Mask Movement, a non-profit action initiated by community leaders, religious leaders, senior journalists, women figures, and professionals to help people affected by the pandemic.

The initiative came spontaneously among media circles and was independent, neither affiliated nor financed by any party. The campaign was considered vital since virus transmission seemed to be increasingly random and widespread, while public awareness has not been developed systematically.

News about the Covid-19 handling task force chief Doni Monardo who tested positive for the virus has become an alarm for the public to be aware of eating out together.

In the task force’s press release on January 23, Doni believed that he was exposed to the virus when eating together as the activity required him to take off his face mask. The incident occurred when Doni led the disaster mitigation in West Sulawesi and South Kalimantan for a week. Throughout 11 months since dealing with the pandemic, he claimed to always comply with strict health protocols.

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ANDITA RAHMA