Analyzing How Effective The New Normal Protocol Will Be In The Workplace

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has issued a Minister of Health Decree number HK.01.07 / MENKES / 328/2020 concerning Guidelines for Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in Office and Industrial Workplaces in Support of Business Continuity in Pandemic Situations.

This decision was issued by Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19 in the business world and working community. Given, the large number of the working population and the large amount of mobility, as well as interactions due to work activities, are very risky of transmitting the virus.

"The workplace as a locus of interaction and the gathering of people is a risk factor that needs to be anticipated," Terawan said as quoted from his written statement on Monday, May 25.

In addition, Terawan also assessed that the world of work and business cannot forever limit them because there is the spread of COVID-19. The economy, he continued, must continue to run even though some areas are currently implementing Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) in accordance with Government Regulation Number 21 of 2020.

"For this reason, after the implementation of the PSBB with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic conditions, it is necessary to make efforts to mitigate and optimally work place readiness so that it can adapt through changes in lifestyle in the COVID-19 or new normal situation," he explained.

Epidemiology expert from FKM UI, Pandu Riono then responded to the new normal protocol that was published because the government wanted the economy to move again. According to him, this reason is not quite right because there are things that the government should pay more attention to, namely the reduction of PSBB.

"The reason is strange. The protocol can only be implemented if the PSBB reduction is enforced. The criteria for reducing this need to look at various health indicators," Pandu said when contacted by VOI on Monday, May 25.

The health indicators in question are in terms of epidemiology, public health, and health service readiness that need to be assessed. Pandu explained that the areas where the PSBB could be eased were areas that had entered the green zone. "If it's not green, yes, it still doesn't meet the requirements," he said.

Must be balanced with massive testing

Epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University Dicky Budiman also spoke about the new normal protocol at the workplace. According to him, this protocol must still be accompanied by massive testing interventions and aggressive tracking.

According to him, if the aggressive testing was carried out, then the government's opinion of implementing herd immunity could be broken. "New normal is not a step towards herd immunity if the intervention of testing, tracing, isolate is still carried out and continues to be improved," said Dicky.

"If the new normal is carried out without the intervention it will be very dangerous," he added.

In addition, Dicky also said that the government must continue to provide education to the working community and the industrial world. So that the public and industry understand how to prevent COVID-19. Because, without awareness, the reduction in positive cases will not occur.

"Without public awareness of the importance of prevention, we will lose 80 percent of the potential role of reducing the spread of behavior change. So education and health promotion to the community is very important," he explained.

Look at three guide points at work in the new normal era

Through the Decree of the Minister of Health number HK.01.07 / MENKES / 328/2020 concerning Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in Office and Industrial Workplaces in Supporting Business Continuity in Pandemic Situations, there are at least three points that regulate workers and the industrialized world carry out its activities in the midst of a pandemic.

Here are three guiding points:

1. Guidelines for Management Policies in Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission

Management is asked to constantly monitor and update the development of information about COVID-19 in its area. As well as forming a COVID-19 Handling Team at the workplace consisting of the Head, the staffing section, the K3 section and Health officers which is strengthened by a Decree from the Head of the Workplace.

The leadership or employer provides policies and procedures for workers to report any suspected cases of COVID-19 (symptoms of fever or cough / runny nose / sore throat / shortness of breath) for monitoring by health workers.

Management is also asked to set up a work from home system and determine which essential workers should come to work or not.

2. Guidelines for essential workers who must continue to work during the PSBB

At the entrance to the workplace, take temperature measurements using a therma gun, and before entering work, apply the COVID-19 Risk Self-Assessment to ensure that workers who will enter work are not infected with COVID-19.

The working time arrangement is not too long (overtime) which will result in workers having less time to rest which can lead to a decrease in the immune system / immunity.

If possible, there should be no triple shift or workers working from night to morning. If forced, three shift workers must be arranged so that those who work are mainly workers less than 50 years old.

Workers are also required to wear masks from the time they travel to or from home and while at work. ask workplaces to regulate the nutritional intake of workers' diets, and facilitate a safe and healthy workplace. Including paying attention to physical distancing in all work activities. Setting the distance between workers at least one meter for each work activity and setting the table, canteen chairs. If possible, workers can be given vitamin C supplements.

3. Socialization and education of workers regarding COVID-19

The Ministry of Health requires workplaces to provide intensive education to all workers and families about the COVID-19 pandemic. So that workers can take preventive action to prevent disease transmission independently. Educational materials about New Normal can be accessed at www.covid19.go.id.