Three Children In Balikpapan Test Positive For COVID-19

ILLUSTRATION / UNSPLASH

BALIKPAPAN - Three children tested positive for COVID-19. The three children are part of 43 new cases reported by the Balikpapan COVID-19 Task Force.

According to Balikpapan COVID-19 Task Force spokeswoman Dr. Andi Sri Juliarty, it is likely that the children who are still students are infected by several concessions that have been made.

"Maybe at breaking the fast together or in other places", she said as quoted by Antara, Saturday, April 24.

The Balikpapan City Government has now allowed residents to return to their activities as before the COVID-19 outbreak, although this is still a limited time. During this Ramadan, for example, residents are allowed to do activities outside the home until 11:00 p.m.

Shopping centers, restaurants, fitness centers, arena football, and cinemas are allowed to open, but with a maximum number of visitors half of their capacity.

Even though they are still waiting for all the teachers to be vaccinated "The municipal government has also allowed schools to reopen and carry out face-to-face learning as usual, but for the time being only a maximum of half of the number of students in the school.

"So it seems that from the cases of these children there is also leeway in implementing health protocols from their families", said Dr. Juliarty.

The obligation to wear a mask, wash hands, maintain a distance, he said, must be constantly reminded, especially for children. Parents at home, as well as teachers at schools who are currently teaching online, must keep reminding this.

Meanwhile, during the event Safari Ramadan at the Al Ula Mosque in Kampung Baru Tengah, the Head of the Balikpapan COVID-19 Task Force who is also Mayor Rizal Effendi explained the policy to prohibit going home before Eid.

"The policy taken is solely for the common good, to prevent more and more people. residents who have contracted or transmitted COVID-19”, he said, in front of the congregation, praying and tarawih.

With fewer people being infected and the more controlled the outbreak, he said, economic activity could slowly be restored.

"Although it is still with strict health protocols and restrictions", said Mayor Rizal Effendi, who on that occasion also handed over assistance from the Balikpapan City Government, in the form of a vacuum cleaner and several Al-Quran and prayer mats.