Expert: Homecoming And Crowding Are Potential To Create A 'Little India' In Indonesia

Situation of the GeNose and Antigen test post at Pasar Senen Station, Central Jakarta, on the first day of homecoming ban, Thursday (6/5/2021). (Photo: Ricky Prayoga/Antara)

JAKARTA - Epidemiologist from the Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia (FKM UI), Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono said that homecoming and crowding have the potential to cause a spike in COVID-19 cases as if a "little India" in the country.

"I am afraid that a little India will occur in Indonesia. Maybe there will be a lack of health service facilities in certain provinces, then an increase in cases in certain provinces, not all in Indonesia, not all provinces, but there will be an increase," Yunis said when contacted by Antara in Jakarta, Thursday.

Learning from the significant spike in COVID-19 cases in India, one of the causes is religious rituals that ignore health protocols and large crowds. Therefore, Indonesia must maintain that this condition does not occur, especially during the upcoming Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.

In the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, homecoming, returning home, and visiting relatives are a tradition inherent in Indonesia. However, due to the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and to prevent a spike in cases, homecoming and crowds are prohibited. According to Yunis, the public is expected to be able to stay in touch virtually.

To avoid "Little India" from occurring in Indonesia, according to Yunis, the government must be more serious in tackling COVID-19, especially in provinces, districts, or cities where the positive level is still high.

"So, efforts are made to tackle COVID-19. 19 more than now, social barriers must be tighter than now," said Yunis.

In addition, social restrictions must be stricter than they are now. If it is possible to implement social restrictions and put in place supportive and strictly strict regulations.

"There should now be checkpoints for those working in the market or in any crowd, including supermarkets and regulations should be made, otherwise the community will be stubborn," he said.

The regulation, such as the number of people who can visit the market, is for example 50 percent of the market capacity so that residents cannot go to the market casually. Likewise with malls or shopping centers and offices.

"Don't let the markets and shops swell their visitors anymore," said Yunis.

Yunis said that so that there are no more crowds in shopping centers, there need to be strict regulations or heavy sanctions for violators. This requires the cooperation of sellers or shop owners and buyers.

"In my opinion, there must be heavy sanctions, if it is not heavy, maybe like in India and it will continue like this. The fines must be serious, the regulations must be serious. The economic consequence may be down," he said.

Community, he continued, must also seriously implement and support efforts to control and prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

These efforts are made for the benefit of the community so that there will be no COVID-19 cases like "Little India" in Indonesia.