Bantul Awaits The Official Circular From The Government Regarding The Easing Of Masks

BANTUL - The Bantul Regency Government, Yogyakarta Special Region, is still waiting for a circular or an official letter from the central government to follow up on the policy of easing the use of masks outdoors by President Joko Widodo.

"The president has indeed made such a policy (easing masks) in the media, but until now, we have not received a written letter from the regional government," said Regional Secretary (Sekda) Bantul Helmi Jamharis when confirmed in Bantul, reported by Antara, Wednesday, May 18.

According to him, as has previous experience, information that eventually becomes a policy in the region is first sent in writing or in writing via letters or circulars, and then through coordination meetings (rakor) with the government.

However, he said, the regency government had not received a circular or directive from the government through the ministry to determine policies related to the use of masks following the slowing down of cases of the spread of COVID-19.

"So until now we have not dared to carry out immediately according to the information we get through the media," he said.

He said, this means that all activities carried out by state civil servants (ASN) within government agencies, as well as the Bantul community even in open spaces still wear masks according to government recommendations.

"And continue to prioritize the COVID-19 prevention health protocol until the issuance of policies that can be legally accounted for," he said.

The Regional Secretary also said, officially from the DIY provincial government regarding the provisions for the use of masks after the information was published in the media, it had not been received, so his party was still waiting for directions or what kind of policies would be taken.

"Anyway, we will follow the policies issued by the government above it, meaning that we do not dare to announce unless the basis is black and white, whether it is issued by the provincial government or the central government," he said.

Bantul Regency Government Office (Pemkab), DIY (ANTARA/Hery Sidik)