Well, if the comparison between the number of positive COVID-19 cases and the number of conducted tests is above five percent, then isolate (them) for two weeksJakarta (ANTARA) - The Presidential Staff Office pressed for re-implementing 100-percent face-to-face learning, as the level of community activity restrictions had decreased.
Main Expert Staff of the Presidential Staff Office, Abraham Wirotomo, affirmed that the method was crucial to assist students in preparing for school exams, so that the process could run smoothly.
Wirotomo explained that not all teachers were properly facilitated with adequate technology, such as gadgets and the internet. These factors had become a cause for concern that the online exam could not be conducted optimally. His statement was quoted from a press release received here on Wednesday.
He remarked that the face-to-face learning method could be applied by referring to the Joint Decree of four ministers.
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Wirotomo stated that in order to ward off fears of a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases during the learning process, regional governments must conduct massive COVID-19 tests with the application of an active case finding (ACF) approach.
He deemed it as a means to determine the safety status of a school. He drew attention to a decline in ACF testing in schools so far.
"This is a homework for the government," he remarked.
Wirotomo elucidated on the manner in which ACF works in schools by testing 10 percent of the population.
Wirotomo affirmed that if the positivity rate was below one percent, then no action was necessary. However, if the positivity rate is between one and five percent, then one class must be isolated.
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"Well, if the comparison between the number of positive COVID-19 cases and the number of conducted tests is above five percent, then isolate (them) for two weeks," he stated.
He drew attention to the importance of administering vaccines in schools, with the objective of offering more protection to students against COVID-19, so that the teaching and learning process could be conducted in person.
Nevertheless, Wirotomo emphasized the need for the government to remain cautious in determining all policies related to handling COVID-19, especially in terms of relaxation, be it in terms of adherence to health protocols or testing and tracing measures.
"The number of cases and deaths in European countries that first relaxed (their policies) began to increase. Several cities in China have also imposed lockdown again. These facts make the government to remain cautious and not rush in making decisions," he concluded.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu A J, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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