Easing the Use of Masks to Transition to Endemicity
The use of masks should still be done outdoors because the transmission of Covid-19 is still happening. It's better to keep wearing masks; there are still people who don't have immunity.
By
MAWAR KUSUMA WULAN, DEONISIA ARLINTA
·4 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The government has decided to relax the policy on wearing masks in outdoor or open areas. This policy was made as a form of transitioning to Covid-19 endemicity.
"If people are doing outdoor activities or in open areas that are not crowded with people, they are allowed not to wear masks," said President Joko “Jokowi" Widodo in his statement at the Bogor Palace, West Java, on Tuesday (17/5/2022) evening.
However, when carrying out activities in closed rooms and in public transportation means, residents must still wear masks. Residents who are categorized as vulnerable and the elderly or have comorbid diseases are also still advised to wear masks while on the move.
"Similarly, people who experience symptoms of coughs and colds still have to wear masks when doing activities," he said.
In addition to relaxing the policy on wearing masks, the government has also relaxed the policy for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antigen swab tests for travelers. This rule applies to those who have received a complete Covid-19 vaccination regimen.
The two important decisions, according to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, are the first steps for the transition from a pandemic to an endemic.
"If the conditions of transmission of Covid-19 cases are getting increasingly controlled, we can take other relaxation steps that will gradually make our lives return to normal," he said.
According to Budi, what’s most important for the transition is scientific data that shows controlled conditions and public awareness of healthy living behavior. This is also a consideration for the government to relax the use of masks and travel conditions at home and abroad.
Referring to data from the Health Ministry, the reproductive rate or the rate of transmission of the virus that causes Covid-19 in the last four weeks has remained at 1. This means that the transmission is still under control.
Based on a serological survey related to the formation of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the proportion of the population in Java and Bali in March, the results reached 99.2 percent. Antibodies that are formed can occur due to vaccination or due to infection with SARS-CoV-2. The levels of antibodies formed are quite high.
Stay alert
The government spokesman for the mitigation of Covid-19, Wiku Adisasmito, added that the easing related to health protocols and travel rules will be regulated in changes to the Covid-19 control policy
starting on Wednesday. However, the public is expected to stay alert and adaptive to various policy changes that will occur.
Separately, an epidemiologist who is also the head of the Profession Development Division of the Indonesian Association of Epidemiologists, Masdalina Pane, said that the decision made by the government to relax the use of masks in open places that were not crowded with people was considered the right one. However, the public must still understand that other health protocols must be observed.
Masks must still be used in conditions where residents cannot keep their distance. People who are sick must also wear masks. Awareness of washing hands with soap and running water and ensuring that supporting facilities are available also need to be considered.
"In principle, health protocols are not only to prevent the transmission of Covid-19, but also various other infectious diseases, such as influenza and tuberculosis. The public must understand and be aware of carrying out health protocols to protect themselves and others," she said.
An epidemiologist from Griffith University, Australia, Dicky Budiman, hoped that this policy of easing the use of masks does not build euphoria in the community.
"Or overconfidence that ultimately makes us neglect and harm ourselves. The use of masks is a behavior that in addition to being easy, is also cheap, effective in preventing diseases that are transmitted through the air, such as Covid-19," said Dicky.
According to him, the use of masks is more effective when combined with acceleration or increases in the coverage of vaccination. The use of masks and vaccinations are a very significant combination and contribute to reducing transmission and improving the pandemic situation.
"They reduce the potential for transmission, which we know occurs, especially because it is transmitted through the air," he added.
An epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, Pandu Riono, recommended that people continue to wear masks when interacting with others outdoors. According to him, the use of masks should still be done outdoors because the transmission of Covid-19 is still happening.
"It's better to keep wearing masks; there are still people who don't have immunity," he said.