Yogyakarta Is Ready To Relax The Rules For Using Masks With Restrictions

Daily Chairperson of the Yogyakarta COVID-19 Handling Task Force Heroe Poerwadi. ANTARA/Eka AR

YOGYAKARTA - The city of Yogyakarta is ready to apply the latest rules in handling COVID-19, namely loosening the rules for the use of masks by allowing residents to open masks in open places but still applying the established restrictions.

"If the regulation has become a policy, yes, we will also apply it to be able to open masks in open areas," said the Daily Chair of the Yogyakarta City COVID-19 Handling Task Force Heroe Poerwadi as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, May 17.

Even so, Heroe reminded that the easing of the rules was still followed by several restrictions that must be obeyed, including no large crowds in open areas.

Elderly residents and residents who have comorbidities are also not automatically allowed to open masks in open areas.

"Similarly, residents who are coughing or cold are still asked to wear masks to reduce the potential for transmission," he said.

For residents who feel more comfortable wearing masks, continued Heroe, they are also advised to keep wearing masks even in open areas.

"The use of masks is also mandatory in closed areas and public transportation," he said.

Some activities that have the potential to bring in large numbers of people, such as concerts or arts and cultural performances, can be held taking into account the restrictions imposed.

“Last weekend, the City of Yogyakarta also held a Jogja Cross Culture in Malioboro. Health protocols are still adhered to in their implementation," he said.

As for the development of cases, Heroe said, the COVID-19 cases in the city of Yogyakarta were under control and there was no upward trend in cases two weeks after Eid.

"We will monitor until this weekend how it develops. Hopefully it's under control," he said.

The control of COVID-19 cases in the city of Yogyakarta, continued Heroe, may be due to the high achievement of primary and booster doses of vaccination. The primary dose of vaccination has reached 257 percent and the booster dose has reached 82 percent. "Hopefully, the community's immunity has been established," he said.

As of Monday (16/5), there were four active cases of COVID-19 in the city of Yogyakarta after there were no daily additional cases with one patient declared cured.