Health Coalition Asks Govt Not to Ease Social Restriction Hastily

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Civil Coalition of Health Profession and Association (KoMPAK) demanded the government not to hastily relax the Large-Scale Social Restrictions or PSBB.

KoMPAK spokesman Kusmedi Priharto opined that the coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic has impacts on all orders of people’s lives.

“However, we see the number of Covid-19 cases keeps rising. So we ask [the government] not to hastily ease the PSBB and to carry it (the relaxation) by communication and coordination with all parties,” said Kusmedi in a written statement on Wednesday, May 20.

KoMPAK is a joint community of health professional organizations and healthcare associations, including the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI), the Health Agency Association, Indonesian Pharmaceutical Association, and the Indonesian Nurses Association (PPNI).

Additionally, KoMPAK urged the government to invite every element of communities in imposing programs related to the universal war and developing a new normal of living or co-exist with Covid-19.

“Starting from the central to lowest community order or grassroots by pushing for the establishment of Covid Alert Program in community units and villages,” Kusmesi added.

Besides, health workers and associations appealed to the public to refrain from going mudik or mass exodus in the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday or Lebaran and visiting relatives physically. “Considering it has the potential to transmit Covid-19. KoMPAK also asks all to stay home,” Kusmedi concluded.

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