Easing of COVID-19 Rules Based on Health Protocol Awareness: Health Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The high level of awareness among the community on health protocol compliance was one factor that contributed to the government’s decision to ease more COVID-19 restrictions, according to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

"If the pandemic situation becomes more controlled, the number of inpatients in hospitals continues to decline, and the awareness of the community to maintain health improves, we can ease other restrictions, which will take our lives back to normalcy in stages," he said at a virtual press conference, which was accessed on the National Disaster Mitigation Agency's (BNPB's) YouTube channel here on Tuesday.

Sadikin noted that the initial step in the transition to the endemic phase is the lifting of the mask-wearing mandate in open spaces that are not crowded with people.

However, people are still being urged to wear masks during indoor activities and while using public transportation.

Mask-wearing is also still necessary for vulnerable people and those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

Aside from the mask-wearing mandate, the government has also lifted the obligation for fully vaccinated travelers, both domestic and international, to show a COVID-19 test result before traveling.

"Almost in all countries, the mask-wearing policy is specifically for indoor (activities). People can open their masks outdoor, but with several notes,” he pointed out.

People who feel comfortable wearing masks may continue to wear them, he said.

"This is one of the ways to educate the community that now, they are playing a bigger role in determining the health protocols to protect themselves and others," he remarked.

He added that even though humans are expected to live with COVID-19 for a relatively long period of time, they already know how to handle the virus so that they can coexist.

The first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia was confirmed in March 2020. According to data from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of May 17, 2022, the nation has recorded a total of 6,051,205 COVID-19 cases, 5,890,826 recoveries, and 156,481 deaths.

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ANTARA