Jokowi Asks Regional Heads Not To Force New Norms

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo asked regional heads not to rush into implementing the normal phase in their region during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because, this phase must be applied in line with supporting scientific data.

This was conveyed by President Jokowi when giving a briefing on the integrated handling of COVID-19 in the Province of Central Java, Semarang, which was broadcast via the Presidential Secretariat Youtube.

"Do not let us have the courage to open, enter the new normal, but the data situation is still not possible, do not be forced so that the stages must really be prepared," Jokowi said in the briefing, Tuesday, June 30.

He reminded that there are several stages that must be passed before a region enters a new normal phase. The first is the precondition stage. Next is to determine the right time to implement these stages in society.

"The timing, when will we open it. The timing must be right. Don't let the Rt be still high above 1.0, the R0 is still high. We have the courage to open it. Be careful. Don't make policies without scientific data. clear, "he stressed.

After determining the right time based on scientific data, the next step, the regional head must determine the priority of the sector to be opened.

He reminded that regional heads should not immediately open up all sectors of life in society. Meanwhile, for sectors that have been opened, Jokowi continued, their capacity must be limited.

"There is no need to be in a hurry because there are two things we are facing. Health and economy must all go well," he said.

The former Governor of DKI Jakarta said that regional heads must also continue to carry out evaluation and monitoring every two weeks. "If indeed the situation (the spread of the COVID-19 virus) rises, then close again. You have to be brave like that," he said.

"We must have the courage to decide like that. We cannot, once again, decide on a policy without seeing scientific data and input from experts," he concluded.