TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, has asked all governors, regents and mayors to tighten activities and educate the public during the implementation of the Covid-19 Level 4 PPKM in the Java-Bali region. The Ministry of Home Affairs released written instructions on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, containing the following 8 principles about educational references that must be implemented by local governments, as follow:

a. Covid-19 is most contagious in closed conditions, long meetings (more than 15 minutes), close-range interactions, crowds, vigorous breathing activities such as singing, talking and laughing and not wearing masks such as when eating together;

b. The correct and consistent use of masks is the minimum health protocol that everyone should apply;

c. Washing hands with soap or hand sanitizer repeatedly, especially after touching objects touched by others (such as doorknobs or handrails), touching the face area with hands should be avoided;

d. The quality of masks determines its level of protection (for example: disposable surgical masks are better than cloth masks, and N95 masks are better than surgical masks). Currently, it is advised to be using 2 (two) layers of masks. Masks should need to be replaced after use for more than four hours;

e. The implementation of health protocols is carried out by considering factors such as air ventilations, duration, and interaction distance, in order to minimize the risk of transmission during activities;

f. Distancing is advised to be applied as follows:

1) Work from home only and interact only with people who live in the same house;

2) If leaving the house is a must, always strive for a minimum distance of 2 (two) meters in interacting with other people. Reduce/avoid contact with other people who do not live in the same household; and

3) Socialize various visual instructions in public places related to the prevention and handling of Covid-19,

g. Duration is advised to be applied as follows:

1) If interaction with other people or attend an activity is a must, do it with a short duration to reduce the risk of transmission; and

2) In office and other activities situations, scheduling and rotation can help to reduce the duration of interaction,

h. Ventilation is advised to be applied as follows:

1) Outdoor activities have a much lower risk of transmission than indoors; and

2) The room should always be under good air ventilation. Opening doors, windows can be done to reduce the risk of transmission. If the door or window cannot be opened, an air purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter can be used indoors.

The Minister of Home Affairs asked the local governments to intervene in stricter mobility restrictions if the transmission conditions were widespread at the community level. Testing, tracking, and treatment are required to continue to be strengthened.

The ministry also instructed that vaccination activities be accelerated in order to protect as many people as possible, as well as to reduce the rate of transmission.

"Prioritizing the safety of those who are vulnerable (such as the elderly, people with comorbidities), given the limited health capacity and the long-term impact of Covid-19 infection," as stated in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs at PPKM Level 4.

Read: Introducing New Covid-19 Restriction Terms; PPKM Level 4, Level 3

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI | MAUDEY K. SETYAKUSUMA