Epidemiologist: Anticipate Crowds During The Christmas-New Years Break

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PURWOKERTO - Field epidemiologist from Jenderal Sudirman University (Unsoed) dr. Yudhi Wibowo reminded the need to anticipate public crowds during the Christmas holidays on December 25, 2021 and New Year's in 2022.

"People's mobility during the Christmas and New Year holidays must be kept under control. The potential points of crowding must be strictly guarded," he said in Purwokerto, Central Java, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, December 8.

According to him, although there is no implementation of Level 3 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM), the government must have prepared various steps to control COVID-19.

"Although there is no implementation of PPKM Level 3, the government must have prepared steps to tighten community activities during the 2021 Christmas and 2022 New Year holiday periods," he said.

The lecturer at the Unsoed Faculty of Medicine added that if the government later implemented a tightening of community activities during the Christmas and New Year holidays, the community must play an active role in supporting efforts to control COVID-19.

"The community needs to play an active role while still strengthening health protocols and if they can limit mobility and not crowding. By controlling community mobility, it is hoped that efforts to control COVID-19 will run optimally," he said.

He reminded the public to celebrate New Year's Eve 2022 at home, gathering with family, to avoid potential crowds.

He also reminded the public not to hold parades or processions when celebrating the turn of the 2022 New Year's Eve.

"The point is to keep your distance and prevent crowds to reduce the risk of being exposed to COVID-19. If you have to visit public spaces, it is necessary to optimize the PeduliLindung application," he said.

Previously, the Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) Johnny G. Plate emphasized that the implementation of regulations to tighten community activities during the Christmas and New Year holidays was the way the government took as a step to control COVID-19.