Minister Responds to Jokowi Not Wearing Mask in Tanah Abang Market
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2 January 2023 16:57 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo appears in public not wearing a mask when visiting a crowded market in Central Jakarta on Monday, January 2, 2023. Meanwhile, just a few days ago, Jokowi encouraged people to wear masks although the PPKM policy has been lifted.
On his first day of working in 2023, the President monitored the Blok A building of Tanah Abang Market and then met with people outside the building, on the side of an open road.
“Bapak President shows that public participation or public awareness is important. He may feel healthy,” said Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin at Jakarta State Palace on Monday, January 2, 2022.
The public mobility restrictions or PPKM policy was revoked last week, the government urged the public to remain compliant with the health protocols against COVID-19. “The use of masks in crowds and closed spaces must continue,” said the President in a press conference at Jakarta State Palace on Friday, December 30, 2022.
Budi did not accompany the president to the market, therefore he claimed to have no knowledge of whether it was an open or closed space. “If it's an open area, [Jokowi] may feel it's safe. But indeed when in a crowd, in a closed room, I recommend [to keep wearing a mask],” Budi said.
This mask mandate leads to confusion among the public. However, the Health Minister emphasized that wearing masks in closed and narrow rooms is advised. “If people feel healthy and in the open space like this, there's no need [to wear mask],” he added.
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