The Task Force Called Year-End Long Holidays Three-fold Increase In Transmission Of COVID-19

Wiku Adisasmito, Spokesperson for the Task Force for Handling COVID-19

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Wiku Adisasmito predicts the long holiday at the end of 2020, which was originally planned to last for 11 days, has the potential to increase the number of cases.

In fact, said Wiku, the potential increase in cases during the Christmas holidays and the joint leave to replace the Eid al-Fitr could increase three times from the long holiday at the end of last October.

"The long holiday at the end of 2020 has a longer duration. It is feared that it has the potential to become a manifestation of the development of cases in two, even three times greater than the previous long holiday," Wiku said in a YouTube broadcast of the Presidential Secretariat, Tuesday, November 24.

There is a reason for the predicted spike in cases. Wiku said, the long holiday that ended the year was a part that many parties have been waiting for.

Wiku understands that after struggling with the pandemic from last March, people are already tired of routines that are mostly spent indoors.

"But I need to remind you that our enemy has not completely disappeared, the pandemic is not over," he said.

The community, he continued, needs to know, the increase in positive cases during the long holiday period is due to the transmission that still occurs due to the lack of discipline in the community regarding health protocols, especially maintaining distance and away from crowds.

In addition, Wiku said that there was a decrease in the number of people being examined because many had traveled outside the city. As a result, there is less effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 due to reduced tracking.

"This is an evaluation material for the central and local governments to be consistent in managing the testing laboratory," said Wiku.

Therefore, Wiku emphasizes the importance of disciplining the 3M health protocol, and always avoiding crowds in every activity. Also, people are asked to think long before deciding to take a vacation.

"There needs to be consideration in choosing activities during the long holiday period with the wisdom of each individual to minimize contact and crowds as much as possible," he said.