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President Announces New Normal Policy to Coexist with the Coronavirus

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  • Minggu, 31 Mei 2020 | 00:54 WIB
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
  A number of visitors follow the procedure to maintain physical distance and have their body temperature checked before entering a shop in a mall in Padang, West Sumatra on Wednesday, 20 May. Photo: ANTARA FOTO/Iggoy el Fitra

President Joko Widodo calls on people to coexist with the coronavirus and introduces new normal concept.

President Joko Widodo urged Indonesian people to coexist with the coronavirus two months after the first positive case came to light in the country.

"We have to coexist with COVID-19 until the vaccine is found," the president said at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, 7 May.

The term “coexist” according to the Presidential Secretariat Deputy Head of Protocol, Press and Media Bey Machmudin is a new adjustment in the order of life.

President Joko Widodo through his Twitter account @jokowi in mid-May citing World Health Organization (WHO) said that coexisting and adjusting must be done because this virus will not soon disappear and will remain in the community.

To coexist with a virus of which vaccine has not been found yet will indeed be a new order. Many call this new way of life the new normal. The community must continue to fight the spread of the virus while continuing their activities, but certainly in a way that is different with the lifestyle before the pandemic outbreak.

Activities must still be carried out by adhering to health protocols such as keeping a distance, wearing masks, avoiding crowds, and washing hands frequently.

The term ”new normal” according to the Expert Team Leader of COVID-19 Task Force Wiku Adisasmita is a change in behavior by continuing to carry out normal activities but applying health protocols to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

"This transformation is to implement new lifestyle and behavior until the vaccine is discovered," said Wiku. Some experts said that the fastest vaccine could be ready by 2021.

The Task Force Team introduces empat sehat lima sempurna (Healthy Four Perfect Five) principle. This movement is aiming more at preventing coronavirus transmission so it is not the same as the pre-existing food consumption patterns movement. "The jargon was chosen because the people have already been familiar with this jargon for a long time," said Wiku.

The four healthy means is wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, washing hands, getting enough rest and avoiding panic. "Nutritious food is part of the five perfect to increase body immunity," said Wiku.

 

 

In other countries

This new way of life had already begun to be applied in Australia when the pandemic began to hit the country. The restaurant remains open by implementing strict protocols.

They redesigned the layout of the table so that there is distance between visitors. They also check the visitors’ body temperature every day.

Singapore has also opened cinemas by implementing strict health protocols. They adjust the distance between the seats of the audience and check the body temperature of the visitor. Anyone who has a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or more will not be allowed to enter the cinema room.

Meanwhile, airports in China have also begun to open. Passengers who have just gotten off the plane must go through a clinical examination. Passengers will be given a QR Code to track their movements while in the city.

Delivery of goods packages is also arranged centrally in one place in an apartment block to minimize direct contact between citizens.

The people wearing masks is now become a common sight in Shanghai. The concept of this new normal lifestyle is indeed one that is emphasized by WHO. According to WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, educating, involving, and empowering people to live the new normal is a matter that must be considered.

 

 

Writer: Fajar WH
Editor: Firman Hidranto/Ratna Nuraini/Elvira Inda Sari/Siti Chodijah

Translator: Irvina Falah

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