"Now, because we feel that the number of cases is going down, we feel that we are safe, the previous sanctions must be echoed again from the TNI-Polri. (the Indonesian military and police). This proves that legal sanctions still need to be carried out for 5M violations," head of the Center for Quality Improvement of Health Human Resources at Health Ministry, Diono Susilo, said virtually here on Wednesday.
According to the Health Ministry, the enforcement of sanctions for violators of health protocols will encourage compliance with the 5M protocols—wearing masks, maintaining social distance, washing hands with soap, avoiding crowds, and limiting mobility.
Susilo said that the Health Ministry has sought assistance from other agencies and ministries, particularly for maintaining awareness, security, and order of the health protocols.
Currently, many people are feeling safe, especially as COVID-19 cases in Indonesia are declining, thus they are no longer following the health protocols, he observed. However, the public must remain vigilant because the pandemic is not over yet, he said.
"We remind people again that the pandemic is not over yet. It is true that there has been a decline. This is because of the cooperation of all of us, both the government and the public. Together, apply the 5M health protocols anywhere at any time, this will speed up the eradication (of the pandemic); avoid (repeating) events (like) in the past," he remarked.
The decline in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia is owing to the adherence to the health protocols by the public and the high vaccination rate, he said.
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Translator: Aditya Ramadhan, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
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