After vaccination has been carried out since the first quarter of 2021 and the strict implementation of Community Activity Restrictions -PPKM, the number of people exposed to the Covid-19 virus has decreased significantly. In addition, continuous socialization carried out by the government and all elements of society is important to maintain health protocols in a bid to prevent wider transmission. This has brought about a positive impact on the red zone turning to a green zone.
Considering the positive situation and conditions, several regions have started face-to-face learning in schools. Although parents are still worried about learning amid the pandemic, a strong desire and enthusiasm for learning continues to emerge amid the confusion about the future of education due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In view of the face-to-face learning, this must be monitored carefully and closely by many parties to prevent the emergence of new clusters of Covid-19.
In fact, some countries have already carried out face-to-face learning after the decline in the number of virus exposures. However, new cases of the Covid-19 cluster in schools can happen, as happened in South Korea. In Indonesia, it happened in several regions and related stakeholders immediately stopped the face-to-face teaching and learning process, especially no vaccination at the time. But now, it has changed; the strict policy of PPKM and vaccination with 2 injection phases has given a positive signal, especially in Java and Bali. This means that the policies taken by the government have run well.
Truly, each individual should be careful in responding to the decreasing trend of the number of people exposed to Covid-9. President Joko Widodo when announcing the extension of the PPKM on Monday (30/8) expressed his pleasure at the improvement in Indonesia's conditions and situation after the high number of exposed cases.
But on the one hand, he reminded the Indonesian people not to be over-satisfied and they have to remain vigilant about implementing the health protocols, protecting the environment even though they have been vaccinated against the threat of the Covid-19 virus. Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Nadiem Anwar Makarim said that in response to the current Covid-19 pandemic, learning in the new academic year 2021/2022 is dynamic, referring to the PPKM policies in each region, and the Joint Decree (SKB), 4 Ministers regarding Guidelines for the Implementation of Learning in the Covid-19 Pandemic Period. According to Minister Nadiem Anwar, educational units must pay attention to their regional zones in determining learning activities.
On the other hand, observers and health experts respond to the rapid mutation changes of the coronavirus. The thing to worry about is the emergence of new types or variants resulting from crosses between viruses to give rise to new and more dangerous types. Thereby, the Indonesian government, academicians and researchers continue to work hard and to find a credible and effective medicine to fight the coronavirus. Moreover, Indonesian researchers have succeeded in dealing with the bird flu pandemic in the early 2000s. This means that everyone needs to be careful in responding to the infection decline. So stay strong, get vaccinated, and follow the health protocols! The calamity is about to shake off sooner!