One Year into Covid-19 Pandemic; Jakarta Asserts Collaboration is Key

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Today marks one year into the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia, and the Jakarta provincial government hopes the vaccination could accelerate the handling of the coronavirus, said the Jakarta Health Agency Head Widyastuti.

However, the government continues to prioritize the implementation of the health protocols, such as wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands, as well as testing, tracing, and treatment. 

“So let’s not neglect a healthy lifestyle even after getting a vaccine,” said Widyastuti at the City Hall on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.

She underlined that the key to containing the pandemic is collaboration as the government could not work alone. A collaboration by adopting the penta helix concept, which is a joint work between the government, society, community, academics, and other elements.

“To overcome an infectious disease pandemic, collaboration is the vital keyword,” Widyastuti remarked.

At the pandemic's 1-year mark today, the number of positive cases in Jakarta remained the highest albeit Governor Anies Baswedan has repeatedly implemented the Large-Scale Social Restriction (PSBB).

Several decisions taken by Anies were met with public controversy. The city government was also considered to part ways with the central government, such as regarding the emergency brake policy.

Now after one year into the Covid-19 pandemic, the daily number of Covid-19 cases is still around 2,000. Jakarta is now following the central government’s policy on the enforcement of the micro-scale community activity restrictions or Micro PPKM.

Read: Indonesia Needs Two More Years to Fight COVID-19: Epidemiologist

ADAM PRIREZA | FRANCISCA CHRISTY