JAKARTA - The case of COVID-19 has revived again following the emergence of new Omicron subvariants, particularly BA.4 and BA.5. The chairman of the DPR, Puan Maharani, asked the government to pay more attention to the implementation of face-to-face learning.
"Children are returning to school amid the rise in COVID-19 cases. To anticipate the increase in cases of children, health protocols must be optimized," said Puan in a written statement, Tuesday, July 19.
Puan reminded the Education Offices in each region to go to the field more to check schools in their area. Puan said that the DPR through Commission X of the DPR will also participate in monitoring.
"It is necessary to review the implementation of health protocols in schools. How is the social distancing regulation system. So I think the student health monitoring system and various other rules that support the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 must be more effective," he explained.
Puan also asked the COVID019 Handling Task Force to increase testing, tracing and treatment (3T) so that the rate of increase in cases could be suppressed as much as possible. Especially with the prediction of the emergence of a new wave of Corona due to the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.
“In Indonesia, the subvariant Omicron BA.2.57 has also been found which has infected a number of other countries. The 3T procedure should not be slack, especially testing, including in schools," said Puan.
Daily cases of COVID-19 at peak times are expected to surpass 20,000 in a day as new subvariant BA.2.75 finds. Puan also emphasized that the government needs to consider a number of recommendations from the Central Board of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (PP IDAI) regarding the implementation of face-to-face schools.
"Because this new subvariance has the potential to cause the next wave of cases and is also prone to occur in infants and children," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.
"We don't want face-to-face schools to be stopped again due to lack of anticipation which can lead to the high spread of the COVID-19 virus in the school environment," continued Puan.
IDAI warns of an increase in COVID-19 cases in infants and children who need treatment. In addition, there is also an increase in cases of Multisystem Inflammatory System in Children (MIS-C) complications and the potential for Long COVID-19 cases in children in Indonesia.
"Specifically, I urge parents not to bring their children to crowded places first until the COVID-19 case hits," said Puan.
“We also need to continuously teach children to be disciplined in implementing health protocols, especially at school when they meet with their friends. Discipline of health protocols is one of the keys," he added.
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