COVID-19 Task Force: Submission Of Aspirations Must Be Followed By Implementation Of Health Protocols

COVID-19 Handling Spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito (Photo: BNPB documentation)

JAKARTA - The Task Force for Handling COVID-19 asks the public who convey their aspirations in demonstrations to adhere to health protocols.

This was conveyed by Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Wiku Adisasmito in response to demonstrations in a number of areas, including Jakarta to reject the Job Creation Law.

"The delivery of these aspirations must really be followed by full awareness of the importance of preventing the transmission of COVID-19. Let us remember that this is a time of pandemic and a public health emergency has occurred," Wiku said in an online press conference broadcast on the YouTube account of the Presidential Secretariat, Thursday, October 8th.

The protesters, he said, must continue to use masks, wash their hands, and keep their distance to prevent transmission which has resulted in a spike in positive cases of COVID-19.

Moreover, cases of COVID-19 without symptoms are very prone to occur and can affect vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with comorbid diseases.

"So once again, we remind you to really be able to maintain the safety and health of the public even though we also have to convey aspirations, make sure to convey aspirations by complying with health protocols," he said.

Although the COVID-19 Task Force had reminded the protesters to implement health protocols, this did not happen in the field. This is because many of the protesters gathered and did not wear masks.

In addition, their movements are usually carried out in a crowd without maintaining a distance.

It is known that demonstrations against the Cipta Kerja Omnibus Law occurred in a number of areas including Jakarta and were attended by many parties including students and the community.

Previously, the police had also warned that demonstrations like this were prohibited during the COVID-18 pandemic. Because it has the potential to become a new cluster.

"If there are large gatherings it can bring in new clusters," he said.

"Don't let it become a new cluster, a demo cluster," added Yusri.

Of the hundreds of people who have been arrested from various regions, some of them were reactive when undergoing rapid tests. "There are 22 reactive ones. They are isolated in Pademangan, North Jakarta," he briefly said.