While the COVID-19 rate is currently under control, the people must still be cautious.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Health Promotion and People's Empowerment Director at the Ministry of Health Imran Agus Nurali urged people to remain cautious before removing their masks outdoors.
"While the COVID-19 situation is currently under control, the people must still be cautious," he noted through an official statement on Wednesday.
President Joko Widodo had issued an outdoors mask utilization relaxation policy since May 17, 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia has increasingly been brought under control.
According to Nurali, people should be aware of several conditions and requirements regarding relaxation in the use of masks in public spaces.
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For the first condition, the people should receive complete vaccination before deciding to take off their masks while going out.
"While the policy to remove masks (was issued) because the COVID-19 pandemic is under control, COVID-19 vaccination should still be continued until the complete dose, or two doses, are taken to protect ourselves and others," he stated.
The next condition concerns ensuring that the people do not have comorbidities.
He suggested groups of people with diseases, such as the ones that attack immunity, hypertension, and diabetes, to continue to wear mask outdoors.
In addition, he advised them to continue to wear masks while conducting activities outside their homes or in places where crowding of people occurred.
Wearing masks is still recommended despite the relaxation for tuberculosis or TBC patients.
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Indonesia is one of countries with the highest count of tuberculosis patients. Hence, it is important to continue to wear a mask while conducting activities outside the house.
"In urban areas, the level of air pollution is also quite high. With the existence of public vehicles and industrial areas, we should still wear a mask because it will protect us from pollution," Nurali emphasized.
People should also make it a habit to wash their hands with soap under flowing water or use a hand sanitizer while going out, he stressed.
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Translator: Nanien Yuniar, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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