Eijkman Professor: PPKM Optional, Total Public Participation a Must

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The level 4 public activity restriction (PPKM Level 4) imposed by the government as a countermeasure for the spread of Covid-19 is initially scheduled to end today on Monday (2/8), following a five-day extension, but it is still unclear whether this restriction will be extended.

Head of the Eijkman Institute of Molecular Biology, Amin Soebandrio, on Sunday explained that there actually does not need to be another social restriction extension. He said it would suffice for the public to wear a face mask, hand washing, maintain physical distance, avoid crowds, and reduce mobility.

“What’s important for us is that all levels of society are equally aware of the situation and can implement proper 5M health protocols,” said the professor to Tempo on August 1. 

As the general public focuses on that, he said, the government will remain focused on its Covid-19 testing, tracing, and treatments. The microbiology professor insists that once the public fully understands the issue in hand and are able to cooperate with pandemic mitigation health protocols, “There would need no more activity restrictions as we are able to control it ourselves.”

He insists that the pandemic can be solved as long as the large portion of society is involved in its countermeasures. “And once again, the most important issue is to control the pandemic by preventing the virus from transmitting from one person to another.”

Read: Indonesia's Deputy Finance Minister Explains Rationale Behind PPKM

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI