VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet released any official statement on treating COVID-19 like ordinary influenza, Health Ministry Spokesperson Mohammad Syahril has said.

“The WHO has already declared (COVID-19 a) pandemic. To this day, there has not been any statement concerning pandemic revocation," he noted during the “Road to 3rd Health Working Group (HWG)” virtual press conference on Zoom on Thursday.

He made the statement in response to news reports that Thailand is preparing to treat COVID-19 like ordinary influenza starting October 2022.

This is a matter of policy, which is up to each country, Syahril informed.

"This is based on the consideration of each country and in accordance with the condition of these countries," he added.

Indonesia, on its part, is still being careful in implementing COVID-19 handling policies, including health protocol relaxations.

Further, periodic COVID-19 handling evaluation is being done through collective discussions with experts as well as ministries and institutions.

"Indonesia is being careful and being gradual," he remarked.

An example of this carefulness is when the country allowed mask relaxation outdoors but revoked its decision within a month, mandating masks for both outdoor and indoor activities, he highlighted.

According to Syahril, the self-isolation policy for COVID patients with mild symptoms has continued to help stem the transmission rate.

"Self-isolation reduces transmission. Developed countries are also still carrying out self-isolation, like the United States. If you are positive, then you are not allowed to leave the isolation room for five to seven days," he noted.

During the event, an epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, Pandu Riono, said that Indonesia does not need to mimic other countries' policies in responding to the pandemic. (antaranews)