Remember, with discipline, we not only protect ourselves but also those closest to us
Jakarta (ANTARA) - A disciplined approach in implementing health protocols to avert spread of the virus becomes the key to avoiding the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, according to the Task Force.

"We must avoid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia through discipline in complying with health protocols. We must maintain and screen the mobility of people in and out of Indonesia to avoid incoming visits from Europe or several other countries experiencing winter," spokesperson for the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 Prof. Wiku Adisasmito noted in a statement received in Jakarta, Friday.

The number of active cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia had continued to decline, and the country appears to be in a better position than the world average. Adisasmito called to maintain this good achievement and work on improving the situation further.

Moreover, the public must become more prudent after observing the situation in several countries in Europe that had to return to regional quarantine following an increase in the number of positive cases.

Several European countries, including England, France, Germany, Belgium, and Greece, recently experienced a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consequently, health authorities in each country decided to impose territorial quarantine.

Adisasmito cautioned that the risk of transmission could raise manifolds as the public had begun to underestimate health protocols.

"Do not let this happen in Indonesia," Adisasmito stated.

Adisasmito noted that currently, Indonesia had already recorded several achievements in handling COVID-19, with the situation appearing to get better. The professor cited as an example the achievement as of November 5, 2020, wherein the number of active cases reached 54,306 or 12.75 percent, lower than the world average of 25.8 percent.

Some 4,065 additional positive cases were recorded. Meanwhile, the number of recoveries reached 357,142, or 83.9 percent, where the number of cured cases globally stood at 71.3 percent.

Meanwhile, the cumulative tally of deaths reached 14,348, or 3.4 percent, of which 2.5 percent died in the world.

"Currently, the handling of COVID-19 in Indonesia has shown quite good results. This can be seen from the decrease in positive cases and a drop in the death rate," he pointed out.

Achievements were also clocked in the area of COVID-19 specimen examinations that continued to increase and were closer to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

Adisasmito cautioned against reckless behavior of parties in view of this achievement. The government and society must continue to intensify their collaboration and strive to constantly improve on this achievement.

The people are urged to continue to apply the 3M health protocols of wearing masks, keeping a safe required distance, washing hands with soap, and staying away from crowds in their day-to-day activities.

Discipline in implementing the 3M health protocols is the community's contribution to the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Remember, with discipline, we not only protect ourselves but also those closest to us," Adisasmito stated.

EDITED BY INE



Translator: Aditya R, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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