How Kang Emil Anticipates COVID-19 During Long Holidays

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - West Java Governor M Ridwan Kamil explained a number of steps his party had taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during holidays and leave with the Prophet Muhammad SAW's birthday in 2020.

This was conveyed by Kang Emil to the Coordinating Minister (Menko) of Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan via a video conference regarding the prevention that was carried out by him.

To Luhut, Kang Emil said that a number of steps were taken by his party, namely testing for COVID-19 in a number of tourist destinations and entrances to West Java.

"Examinations and tests are carried out at 54 points. The testing is carried out randomly through the rapid test method. If anything is reactive, it will be followed by a swab test," said Kang Emil at Pakuan Building, Bandung City, reported by Antara, Friday, October 30.

There are 14 districts / cities in West Java that are often visited by tourists during long holidays. Monitoring of the application of health protocols was carried out, including testing for COVID-19.

Kang Emil stated that testing for COVID-19 was very crucial to reduce potential COVID-19 cases during long holidays and joint leave so as not to become a new cluster of COVID-19 transmission.

Kang Emil asked tourists and trippers to apply the 3M health protocol, namely wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands with soap.

"We, together with the TNI and Polri, and Satpol PP (Civil Service Police Unit) continue to keep watch as much as possible to ensure that the health protocol is carried out by people on vacation to tourist attractions," he said.

In addition, said Kang Emil, security officers must ensure that tourist destination managers are committed to carrying out health protocols, such as limiting the number of visitors.

"In essence, people can travel, as long as they continue to apply the 3M health protocol strictly and discipline," said Kang Emil.

Luhut, on this occasion, asked the provincial government to campaign intensively on the importance of 3M's health protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in places that have the potential to create crowds.

"Improvement efforts continue to be encouraged by the central government, regarding centralized health and isolation protocols. I implore regional heads never to get bored of conveying 3M's health protocols," said Luhut.

Luhut stated that strengthening health care facilities (fasyankes) and isolation centers needed to be done as an effort to anticipate a spike in COVID-19 cases.

"The capacity of the ICU and isolation rooms must run well, the drugs and medical devices needed must be sufficiently available in accordance with the clinical management of COVID-19 patients. 3M health protocol enforcement operations need to be improved, especially in crowded centers," he said.