Jokowi's Message: Not Going Home Is A Wise Way To Protect Relatives From COVID-19

President Joko Widodo (Instagram @Jokowi)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has again reminded the public not to carry out the Eid homecoming amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Through his social media accounts, Jokowi asked the public to exercise restraint in order to protect his relatives in the village.

Through a short animated show, Jokowi conveyed the risk of transmission of COVID-19 that might occur when people go home. This message was conveyed, because in less than two and a half weeks the Lebaran holiday will arrive.

"These days, in past years, we are usually waiting for the time to go home for Lebaran, to our hometown to meet parents, relatives and friends. But the world is gripped by the Covid-19 pandemic," Jokowi wrote. on his Instagram account, Saturday 9 May.

Jokowi explained that the decision not to go home this year does not mean not showing affection for relatives in his hometown. Rather, it is a wise decision to protect relatives from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"By patiently holding back homesickness, we have taken a role in breaking the chain of the spread of the Covid-19 virus. We do not go home because we love our families," Jokowi wrote.

Together with that article, Jokowi also uploaded a video with a duration of 4 minutes 36 seconds, which explains how homecoming can be a medium for the spread of the corona virus. Therefore, Jokowi hopes that the public can postpone this year's Eid homecoming. The government itself has previously issued regulations regarding the prohibition of going home.

"Not going home is the wisest way to protect families in the village,"

Jokowi

In fact, the government has issued a policy related to the 2020 Eid homecoming ban. The aim is to break the chain of transmission by enforcing strict health protocols, to implementing large-scale social restrictions, during the COVID-19 disaster emergency.

Those in the Village Don't Crowded Too

On the other hand, President Jokowi also asked for the participation of the community to take part in reducing the number of COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia. Apart from not going home, the community is also expected to be able to participate in implementing the Large-Scale Social Restrictions or PSBB policies in a disciplined manner.

Especially since the beginning, the government chose the PSBB policy instead of a regional quarantine or lockdown. By limiting activities in public places or in public facilities in the form of limiting the number of people and setting the distance between people.

"That means, with PSBB, the community can still do activities, but it is limited. The public must also be aware of limiting themselves, not being allowed to gather on a large scale, "Jokowi said as quoted from the Setpres.go.id page.

Infographic of COVID-19 patients in Indonesia (BNPB)

These efforts must continue to be made to prevent the spread of Covid-19. In addition, he also wants the economy to keep running in the midst of the current pandemic situation. For this reason, the community can still have limited activities, but must be disciplined in adhering to health protocols.

"I saw that in some areas, from the information I received, the roads were quiet but in the village there were still many crowds, there were still many people in the village. Even though the physical interaction had to be reduced, you had to keep your distance, had to wear a mask, you had to wash your hands frequently after activities. "He continued.

Based on the latest data, Saturday 9 May, the number of patients exposed to COVID-19 in Indonesia reached 13,645 people. Meanwhile, the number of patients who died reached 959 people, while 2,607 of them were declared cured.