Minister Of Health: Back To Wearing Masks Even Though COVID-19 In Indonesia Is At WHO Safe Level

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin (center)/ (ANTARA/Hreeloita Dharma Shanti)

JAKARTA - Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, asked the public to return to wearing masks even though positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia are at a safe level according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

"The president appealed (to wear masks again). Because now there is an increase in cases, we should be vigilant", Budi said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 12.

Minister of Health Budi said that until yesterday, the number of cases of people who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 was on a scale of 2,000 cases per day. As happened on Monday, July 7 until 12.00 WIB, the number of daily positive cases in Indonesia broke through 6,112,986 cases after an increase of 1,681 cases.

The number of cases is still at a safe level according to the Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) standards set by WHO. According to the WHO standard, Indonesia's level will change if positive cases touch 7,800 cases per day.

"Right now it's still 2,000, as long as it's still below 7,800, the WHO standard is still PPKM level one. But that's the WHO definition, yes, they use the term transmission indicated. As long as it is below 7,800 the condition is still very good and normal", said Budi.

Although the conditions are relatively safe and under control, the Minister of Health advised all parties to follow President Jokowi's directives to avoid the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

Masks will protect everyone when carrying out their main activities in a closed room or crowd where there will be a potential for meeting people who are suffering from coughs.

Responding to the re-use of masks, Budi admitted that the President had contacted him to ask about the condition of the COVID-19 pandemic and what efforts needed to be implemented at this time. One of them is related to the use of masks.

"So, Mr. President, see, Mr. Minister of Health, how do we go up? (I said) Sir, we are relatively better. Indeed the WHO PPKM level is 7,800 per day", said Minister of Health Budi.

Previously, on May 17, 2022, President Jokowi said that there was an easing of the policy on wearing masks in open areas taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic which was considered under control.

However, he decided that masks must continue to be worn indoors and outdoors as long as the COVID-19 pandemic still exists in Indonesia. This is because positive cases are starting to show a slightly higher increase.

President Jokowi asked the public to continue to be careful, especially because of the emergence of BA.4 and BA.5 variants in all countries and they deserve to be watched out for.

"I also want to remind all of us that COVID-19 is still there, therefore both indoors and outdoors wearing a mask is still a must", said President Joko Widodo on July 10.