Menkes Frees Non-Mask Community When Activating In Open Spaces If A Healthy Body

Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin said that people no longer need to wear masks in open spaces if they are in good health.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Health considering that the rules for the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) have been crossed out by President Joko Widodo starting December 30, 2022. The revocation of the policy automatically eliminates the obligation to wear masks in open locations without crowds.

"We recommend wearing masks in a closed and narrow room, in a crowd, we recommend wearing them. However, once again we return this to the community, if people feel he is healthy, in open air like this there is no need, no need," he said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Monday 2 January.

President Jokowi announced that the government would revoke the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) based on the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 50 and 51 of 2022.

In his statement, Jokowi said that people still have to wear masks in crowds and closed rooms.

"Because indeed the strategy from pandemic to endemic is reduced, but there is increased community participation. So, there is public awareness to measure for themselves where he needs to be, we need to use it," he said, quoted by Antara.

According to him, like when infected with the flu, people don't need to be taught to use an umbrella when it rains or take certain cold drugs, because people already understand what to do when it flu.

"Well, we have to slowly train that level to get to an endemic. So, wear a mask when I see it, like now I don't wear it (in an open space), but if it was during a limited meeting and there was a President, we have to wear it," said the Minister of Health.

President Jokowi, said the Minister of Health, had started not wearing masks in the open, including when he visited Tanah Abang Market on Monday, January 2 morning.

"Again, the President shows that public participation, public awareness is important. The President may feel he is healthy. I didn't know earlier, I didn't follow whether the market (space) was open or closed. If it was open, he would feel safe, yes, it's safe," added Budi.

However, while in the crowd, Budi Gunadi advised the public to keep wearing masks. "But, I really do when in the crowd, the room is closed, if someone coughs, I recommend (wearing a mask)," he said.