"(The circular must), for instance, instruct the closure of school canteen, obligation to bring own food from home, and enforcement of health protocols, such as by washing hands and wearing masks, at schools," Sjaifudian stated here on Friday.
She noted that despite the Health Ministry having issued a circular on acute hepatitis prevention, it is aimed at the general public. Hence, the ministry must issue another circular specifically for educational institutions, she added.
The legislator also highlighted that hepatitis vaccination coverage is still lagging behind despite its obligatory nature.
"I hope the government would commit to revving up hepatitis vaccination coverage to achieve long-term immunity against the disease," Sjaifudian remarked.
Commission X legislators will invite the ministry to deliberate the issue when the parliament reconvenes on May 17, she confirmed.
She pointed out that despite the parents' concerns about possible hepatitis infection from school being legitimate, organizing offline school sessions is equally urgent to remedy learning loss affecting pupils due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Indeed, we must be prudent (in reopening schools), yet we need not panic. So far, hepatitis infection occurs by oral contact instead of being transmitted by air, such as COVID-19," Sjaifudian noted.
As the hepatitis virus could be spread by hand contact, water, food, and food utensils, offline school sessions can be organized as long as the school's cleanliness aspect is assured, the legislator stated.
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Translator: Imam Budilaksono, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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