After School Holidays, COVID-19 Task Force Asks Parents For Early Detection Of Family

Illustration of a number of school children exercising. (Antara: Ferry Purnama)

JAKARTA - The Community Empowerment Team for Health Emergency Support Task Force (Satgas) for Handling COVID-19 Retno Asti Werdhani asked parents to take early detection measures after the school holidays.

"We know that COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease, if we don't detect it early, it can actually endanger other people," said Asti in the webinar 'Healthy Vacations, Safe COVID-19 Children' in Jakarta, Wednesday 29 June.

According to her, early detection efforts by conducting examinations are quite important amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

"Children are indeed a vulnerable population, we know that their immune response is not as good as that of adults, especially if the child is less than five years old, they have not received the COVID-19 vaccine," she said, according to Antara.

Before traveling, she asked parents and children over the age of six to complete the COVID-19 vaccination.

"So if you want to go on vacation, first make sure your health status, and there are companions who meet the travel requirements for children, these companions need self-protection," she said.

She added, if adults or children aged 6-17 years have chronic pain that makes it impossible to get a vaccine for clinical reasons, they are asked to check their health with a doctor before traveling and follow strict health protocols.

"Implement travel protocols, fill out e-HAC (electronic-Health Alert Card), download vaccine certificates, provide masks and hand sanitizers, and if possible bring your own eating utensils and choose well-cooked food," she explained.

She reminded that the transmission of COVID-19 and various other viruses can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime.

"So make sure later before the holidays or when we travel in a healthy condition. Then choose an environment and vacation place that applies the COVID-19 protocol, has CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability) certification," she said.