"We need to still be productive, while prioritizing principles to protect ourselves from COVID-19. This then would become a fundamental behavior change for all of us, and this is what we are calling the new normal," said Yurianto at a press conference of the Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 Handling on Tuesday in Jakarta.
He said he believes the Indonesian public needs to carry on living life normally by working and doing other productive activities, but at the same time, people need to practice measures to avoid being infected with the novel coronavirus disease.
People, he said, need to get used to practicing health protocols, such as keeping a safe distance from others, using masks, and selectively choosing appropriate moments to leave home.
All of these measures are being enforced to stem the spread of COVID-19, as there are no vaccines or medications that have been found to counter the virus as of yet, he noted.
"This is the process that is needed to adapt to the situation that is in place at the moment — the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
Although Yurianto urged people to stay productive, the government is yet to relax Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) and health protocols to fight COVID-19.
Yurianto, who is also director general of Disease Control and Prevention at the Ministry of Health, said that the enforcement of PSBB is in accordance with President Joko Widodo’s directive for regions that have been enforcing the policy to continue doing so. (INE)
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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta/Aria
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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