BMKG Calls People to Consider UV Index before Sunbathing

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) appealed to residents of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jakarta Greater Area or Jabodetabek) to wisely check the time for sunbathing based on the UV index, the sun's ultraviolet rays for a region.

Quoted from the BMKG’s Instagram account on Wednesday, April 15, the good time for sunbathing is around 8 a.m. as the UV index stands at 0-2, which means minimal danger from the sun’s UV rays.

From 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., the UV index is 3-5 which means low risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure, while at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the sun’s ultraviolet has high risk of harm as it is at 6-7.

Starting from 2 p.m., the UV index decreases to 3-5. Thus, people will be safe to sunbathe starting at 3 p.m. as the UV index is at 1-3.

Recently, many Indonesians got into a new routine in the morning, which is staying under the sun, because the effort is believed to boost the immune system to tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Indonesia Medical Association (IDI) Chairman Daeng M Faqih clarified that staying under the sun could not be said as a way to prevent COVID-19. However, sunbathing for 10 to 15 minutes will cause a good health impact, such as stimulating the production of Vitamin D.

“Sunbathing is good to boost immunity, but it can't be considered as a way to prevent ourselves from getting COVID-19,” Daeng explained.

ANTARA