"The President previously directed that face-to-face learning, which will begin later, must be carried out with extra caution. (The number of students allowed to learn) Face-to-face is (going to be) limited. First, it can only be a maximum of 25 percent of the total students," Sadikin said at a press conference originating from the Jakarta Presidential Office on Monday.
The press conference was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, TNI Commander, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, National Police chief, Gen. Pol Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Ganip Warsito.
"It (face-to-face learning) cannot be more than two days a week, every day a maximum of only two hours," Sumadi stressed.
Furthermore, the number of children returning to school will depend on the willingness of parents to send them back, he said adding, all teachers will need to be vaccinated before starting face-to-face learning.
Related news: Pandemic conditions, risk zones considered in face-to-face learning
The central government is planning to allow limited face-to-face learning from July, 2021.
“So, please, the regional heads must prioritize teachers and the elderly; teachers must be vaccinated before limited face-to-face learning is held," the minister stressed.
Sumadi also appealed to all regional heads to ensure that the implementation of health protocols such as wearing masks, maintaining a safe distance, and washing hands is tightened and explained properly.
"Secondly, the certainty of the testing, do the testing with discipline and I ask for a complete report so that we can take anticipatory steps if anyone is infected," he added.
He also said he hoped there would be no obstacles to tracing efforts and those exposed to the coronavirus would undertake self-isolation.
"There are many regions that have self-isolation places," Sumadi pointed out.
Earlier, Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim had said that face-to-face learning would be implemented once the vaccination of teachers and education personnel is complete.
Face-to-face learning will start from early childhood education and elementary schools and then gradually be extended to higher education facilities, he added.
Related news: Local governments should disseminate face-to-face learning information
Translator: Desca L, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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