By: Novi Trisnawati)*
During the Nataru holiday (Christmas and New Years) all regions in Indonesia are affected by PPKM level 3.
Approaching December, the government prepared various strategies to prevent a spike in Corona cases. One of them is implementing PPKM level 3, not only in DKI Jakarta but also throughout Indonesia, and is valid from 24 December to 2 January 2021. PPKM is strictly enforced to prevent Corona transmission.
PPKM level 3 was again implemented because the government reflected on the incident at the end of last year. During Nataru’s 2020 holiday, there was a surge in visits to many tourist attractions, causing wave 2 Corona attacks. Don’t let the third wave of Corona attacks occur after the Nataru holiday and increase the number of patients, because currently it is stable (only 500 patients per day).
Dicky Budiman, an epidemiologist from Griffith University stated that PPKM level 3 during the Nataru holiday was indeed effective in reducing the level of Corona transmission. However, this only lasts temporarily (because it is valid for 1 week only). It will be more effective to implement 3T (tracing, treatment, and tracking) and 5M processes.
In a sense, PPKM level 3 can be predicted to reduce the increase in Corona patients, because mobility is limited (even though there is no insulation) and the number of people who are allowed to enter restaurants and other public places is only 50%. However, it is better to take real action by emphasizing 3T and 5M processes.
The 3T program is very important to prevent transmission of Corona in the long term, because in addition to treatment (treatment) there is also tracing and tracking. In a sense, if there is tracing, it will be possible to know who has OTG status when there is a random rapid test, because many have mild Corona but do not realize it.
Then, tracking is also important to trace who is in contact with OTG and then he is tested too. So that there will be no terrible chain of Corona spread. The OTG that is tested by the COVID-19 task force team must also be honest, answer that they are in contact with anyone, so that the process will be faster.
The 5M process must also be implemented strictly. If everyone is disciplined in obeying PPKM level 3 rules and is not desperate to travel, and obeys health procedures, then the number of Corona patients will not increase drastically. Always wear a mask, wash your hands, keep your distance, reduce mobility, and avoid crowds.
Don’t take Nataru’s holiday for granted and then get banned from going out of town, then hold a get-together at home, because it’s the same as creating a crowd on purpose. We don’t know which of the friends has OTG status. So instead of being infected, it’s better not to gather first, after all, contact can be via video call or chat.
Always wear a mask when leaving the house, even if only to the mini market in front of the housing. Kaita is even advised to wear a double mask (fabric and disposable masks) to strengthen filtration, because the delta variant Corona can be transmitted only by passing OTG. If everything is in order then Nataru’s holiday will be safe.
The government enforces PPKM level 3 strictly so that there is no spike in Corona patients and confusing health workers. Do not want to be invited to travel far, because there is a prohibition. After all, do you want to catch Corona on the way? It’s better to be calm on vacation even at home, than to be desperate to travel and then get infected with the covid-19 virus.
)* The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Institute of Strategic Information Studies
