Office Cluster COVID-19 Increases, Anies: Fasting Month Not Drinking, Continue To Use Masks

Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan (DOK Public Relations of DKI Pemprov)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan admitted that he is still monitoring the causes of the increase in the COVID-19 cluster in offices today. Anies suspects that one of the causes of the transmission of the coronavirus in the office is due to many employees taking off their masks while working.

"I invite the whole community, especially masks. That is the most important. Even in the office, we wear masks, we don't end up wearing masks in public places, even when taking off masks is the main potential", said Anies at DKI City Hall, Center Jakarta.

Many of them, said Anies, have started to feel safe because the number of COVID-19 transmissions has decreased since a few months ago. As a result, the application of health protocols has been lax.

In fact, according to Anies, in the month of Ramadan, people, especially Muslims, do not need to remove masks because they do not eat and drink.

"Especially now that it is the fasting month, there is no need for lunch for Muslims. No need to drink, so the continuous use of masks is much easier now than on normal days", said Anies.

The Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) considers the factors causing the increase in the COVID-19 cluster in the office because many employees hold iftar together in one room.

Therefore, Anies asked that the iftar activities be carried out in their respective homes. "Before fasting, I have told the whole community, let's iftar at home", he said.

"Even if you want to worship at the mosque, don't pray, but only pray, tadarus, qiyamul lail, but you can do as much iftar as possible at home with your family", continued Anies.

For information, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has recorded an increase in hundreds of positive cases of COVID-19 in the office space in just one week.

In the period 5-11 April 2021, it is said that there were 157 cases of COVID-19 in offices. Cases spread from 78 offices in the capital. Then on April 12-18, the number of cases increased to 425 people in 177 offices. This means, there are an additional 268 patients in one week.