VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

People that complied with the government's appeal to not go on a homecoming exodus and not conduct face-to-face meetings had contributed to containing the transmission of COVID-19, Wiku Adisasmito, COVID-19 Handling Task Force spokesperson, stated.

"If the community does not go on a homecoming exodus, it means that it will also contribute to suppressing the transmission," Adisasmito noted during a press conference, monitored virtually from Jakarta, Tuesday.

Moreover, the spokesperson pointed out that not embarking on a homecoming exodus also contributed to lowering the potential for transmission of COVID-19 to the elderly and relatives in their respective areas.

Regarding the tradition of friendly meeting, or silaturahmi, that people usually follow during Eid al-Fitr, Adisasmito has encouraged it to not be face-to-face but instead to apply technology by holding virtual meetings.

The spokesperson invited people to learn from the challenges encumbering India, which in the last two months, experienced a significant increase in cases due to religious and political activities that drew huge crowds.

In March 2021, India had an average positivity rate of 3.4 percent, which dipped to 22.2 percent as of May 6, 2021.

Meanwhile, Indonesia clocked a decline in the positivity rate during the same time frame, specifically in March 2021, during which an average of 14.7 percent was recorded and it decreased to 11.3 percent on May 6, 2021.

This drastic increase burdens healthcare facilities in India, thereby hindering the treatment of patients with COVID-19 and other diseases owing to the large number of new cases.

"Through face-to-face meetings, there is a potential of transmitting and contracting COVID-19. Of course, this can have fatal consequences. I am sure we do not want to regret it," Adisasmito remarked. (antaranews)