UNAIR NEWS – UNAIR epidemiologist from Faculty of Public Health Dr Windhu Purnomo dr MS stated that taking mask off should be narrated as a suggestion. As of now, people believe that it is mask-free outdoor.
He suggested that people should stay vigilant. In fact, [in his announcement] the president allowed lenient mask policy as long as there are no crowds around. In other words, the mask mandate still applies to people who are at risk for Covid-19.
“A sick person who’s suffering from cough, cold, and Covid-19 symptoms should wear a mask, indoor and outdoor,” he said.
Narrated as suggestion
Dr. Windhu continued that an additional narration is necessary. Mask mandate still applies in indoor places, closed ones, and inside public transport. For instance, in school, places of worship, office, and factory.
Another policy should also be enforced outdoor. It should inform and advise people to wear masks outdoor, while in certain conditions like no crowds, taking off the masks is allowed.
“If people prefer to wear the mask, just go on. Therefore, it should be narrated as suggestion. Unfortunately, the president missed that in his announcement,” he said.
Masks are not required during exercise, eating, cycling, and other activities with no crowds. However, some susceptible groups of people are obliged to wear them, including sick people.
“However, it is narrated as if people with cough and cold are allowed to go out, even using masks. When at the beginning of the pandemic, we classified them as suspect cases,” he argued.
Influenza-like illness (ILI) regarded as suspect
The suspect group of people with Covid-19 should get tested. One of the criteria which indicate the suspect case is the ones with ILI. As long as the status is unknown, whether it is positive or negative, they should be self-quarantined in their home and are prohibited from going out in public even with masks on.
“ILI symptoms include cough, fever, et cetera. Showing those symptoms means they are suspect,” he stated.
Author: Ananda Wildhan Wahyu Pratama
Editor: Feri Fenoria
