Approaching Long Holidays, Local Governments Must Work Hard

COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Widu Adisasmito (Photo: BNPB dock)

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the Task Force (Task Force) Handling COVID-19 Wiku Adisasmito asked local governments to be aware of the increase in COVID-19 transmission ahead of the long holiday at the weekend. This needs to be done, because every long holiday, COVID-19 cases always increase.

The holidays this weekend are the commemoration of Isra Miraj on Thursday, March 11 and Nyepi Day on Sunday, March 14.

"In order to face the long holiday, the regional governments are expected to anticipate the chance of increasing cases which generally occur during long holidays with their respective regional approaches," Wiku said in a press conference broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account, Tuesday, March 9.

He asked local governments to make a number of long holidays that occurred recently as lessons. In addition, he asked people to be patient and wise to carry out activities while filling long holidays.

"Please cooperate with the community to be patient and wise, especially in carrying out activities that have the risk of increasing transmission, such as traveling long distances," he said.

Furthermore, Wiku also reminded local governments regarding the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) for Micro or at the city district level. He said, the implementation of this policy must be in accordance with what was stated in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) which was made some time ago.

"It is necessary to align the implementation with what is stated in the instruction of the minister of interior, especially in the context of facing a long holiday," he said.

Previously reported, the increase in COVID-19 cases often occurred during the holiday season or long holidays and this was conveyed by the Chairperson of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Doni Monardo.

According to him, every long holiday since Idul Fitri 2020 there has always been a surge in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia and this has led to the issuance of regulations prohibiting traveling out of town for ASNs including TNI and Polri soldiers.