Expert: Many Countries In The World Don't Require Masks Anymore

Illustration of the strict rules of masks. (Unsplash)

At the end of February, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) had been lifted. However, there are still many people who continue to wear masks.

Jokowi conveyed this at the briefing of the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of the All-Indonesian Provincial Government Association (APPSI) in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, last Thursday, February 23.

Currently, Professor of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia as well as Director of Postgraduates at YARSI University, Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, assesses that many countries in the world have relaxed the provisions for the use of masks in public spaces, as COVID-19 cases have subsided.

"In January 2023, I underwent Umrah, in Mecca and Medina around 90 percent of people don't wear masks anymore, and we know that Umrah worship comes from various countries in the world," said Tjandra Yoga Aditama in a written statement in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Sunday, March 5.

Tjandra added that the situation illustrates that there has been an easing in the wearing of masks in many countries.

Tjandra also found a similar condition while visiting India, coinciding with the High-Level Meeting On Paving for Strong and Resilient Health System in South-East Asia in Goa - one of the tourist attractions on India's west coast.

"All meeting participants are no longer wearing masks. Apart from us coming from various countries, in India, it is practical that no one wears masks, either in Goa or in the metropolitan city of Mumbai," said Tjandra when he co-lead rapporteurs at the end of February 2023.

The meeting participants included the former Indian Minister of Health and the former Minister of Health Timor Leste, and former Deputy Director-General of WHO as well as former Head of the Western Pacific WHO, representatives from Thailand, Bangladesh, South Korea, and Tjandra representing Indonesia, as well as leaders of WHO Southeast Asia.

Tjandra, who is also a former Director of Infectious Diseases at WHO Southeast Asia, transited for several hours in Mumbai and saw the situation in the city.

"I've been to the Gateway of India, which is full of people and everyone doesn't wear masks, including two people posing next to me," he said.

From India to Jakarta, Tjandra had stopped for several hours in Singapore.

"We know that since February 13, 2023, in Singapore there is no longer any obligation to wear masks on public transportation, after previously the obligation to wear masks had been relaxed," he said.

"Developments do not require wearing masks to clearly occur in many countries, in line with COVID-19 which continues to be controlled in the world," added Tjandra.

In addition to Tjandra's personal experience, America and Europe have not long required the use of masks in public spaces.