Many Ask About The 20 Minute Eating Rules During PPKM, Dr. Reisa Gives The Answer

Dr Reisa Broto Asmoro/DOK ANTARA HO Satgas COVID-19

JAKARTA - Many have asked about the 20-minute meal rule during PPKM. Jokes and memes spread on social media satirizing the policies announced by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) when extending PPKM level 4.

The Government Spokesperson for COVID-19 and the Behavior Change Ambassador, Dr. Reisa Broto Asmoro, has the answer. Reisa said an international study said it took 20 minutes for the human brain to signal fullness after eating.

"This is also explained by nutritionists, that it is in the 20th minute that the satiety and satisfaction hormones appear," said Reisa, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, July 28.

This was explained by Reisa related to the number of people who questioned the government's regulation which limits eating in place for 20 minutes for visitors to restaurants or restaurants during the PPKM period.

Reisa said nutrition experts have long suggested that consuming one tablespoon requires about 20-30 chews for optimal digestion.

"So use the time to eat to eat, then immediately put the mask back on. After you finish eating, if you want it to be more comfortable, you can wrap it up or take it home," said Reisa.

The government has officially extended PPKM Level 4 in several areas in Java and Bali until next August 2 to reduce the rate of transmission of the corona virus.

In the new rules stated in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 24/2021x, people are now allowed to eat at food stalls and street vendors.

In the previous PPKM Emergency and PPKM Level 4, restaurants, food stalls and street vendors were not allowed to serve diners on the spot. They only sell food to take home.

The rules are written regarding food stalls, street vendors, hawker stalls and the like that have their place of business in an open space, are allowed to open with strict health protocols until 20.00 and a maximum meal time for each visitor is 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, answered the public's confusion about when 20 minutes was counted when eating at a food stall during the PPKM Level 4.

Wiku explained that the duration of eating within the limited time was calculated from the time the order was delivered and the customer started spooning the food into their mouths, not when they started ordering food.

"The 20-minute duration is calculated from starting to eat and regardless of the ordering process," said Wiku in a short message, Wednesday, July 28.

Wiku said that the supervision of the duration of eating at the stall during PPKM Level 4 was carried out by PPKM supervisors consisting of the ranks of the Satpol PP, TNI, Polri, and the local COVID-19 Task Force.

"Regarding the supervision, the regional COVID-19 Task Force will be carried out and of course also the people who remind each other," said Wiku.