As a UGM epidemiology expert, Bayu Satria mentioned that monitoring and establishing tracing, testing, and treatment (3T) are requirements to successfully run mobility limitation or stiffen policy.
"If the result from this weekend's stiffening policy goes well, then there should also be monitoring and strengthening on 3T because if it only has one-sided support, there won't be significant results," he said on Friday (5/2).
According to some media reports, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government seems to be considering a weekend lockdown policy, considering that there had not been optimal results from government policies to limit community activities through PSBB and PPKM.
Meanwhile, Ganjar Pranowo, as the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, has officially released a movement of Central Java to Stay at Home on the weekend of February 6-7 as stated in Circular (SE) Number 443.5 / 0001933 dated February 2, 2021, concerning Strengthening Discipline and Stiffening Health Protocols on Implementing Restrictions Phase II Community Activities (PPKM) in Central Java.
The stiffening policy activities include locking Car Free Day, blocking roads, closing shops/malls and markets, closing tourist destinations and recreation centers, and limiting activities that potentially cause crowds. At the same time, crucial sectors such as health, for instance, will still normally operate.
Bayu explained, currently seeing the more severe Covid-19 condition of its transmission, limiting mobility is tremendously urgent.
"It is because the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus commonly happens via direct contact, in which we can prevent by keeping the distance in the form of stiffening mobility limitation. Not to mention, don't forget the masks," Bayu explained.
He also mentioned that the lockdown would be effective, not in terms of its duration but how the implementation is running in the field, how stiff it is, and supported by massive 3T implementation, which could be done by involving volunteers.
Bayu said that several countries considered to have been considerably thriving in handling the Covid-19 cases, such as Taiwan, South Korea, and New Zealand, underwent some former stiffening limitation, especially implementing it on the border areas accompanied by a real massive 3T.
The restriction period is ideally implemented for 14 days according to the virus incubation period. However, Bayu assumed that this implementation also needs to consider several aspects, mainly from the economic side.
He also emphasized that there should be adjustments between regional conditions and the implementation of stiffening policies or loosening community activities.
"If the condition is severe or if the red zone is accompanied by full BOR health facilities, then there should be a tighter stiffening policy along with 3T optimization," added Bayu.
Author: Gloria
Translator: Natasa A