VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Public discipline has been declining in terms of the observance of COVID-19 health protocols in nearly all Indonesian regions, according to chief of the Task Force for COVID-19 Handling, Lt.Gen Doni Monardo.

This has sparked an increase in new infections, he said at an online talk show on the post-pandemic outlook for Indonesia, here on Thursday.

"Public discipline in almost all regions has shown a decline. In early November, public adherence to (the rule on) wearing face masks had reached 86.18 percent, but in the next few weeks, it started to decline," Monardo noted.

The task force pegged public adherence to the rule on wearing masks at 80.48 percent on December 24, 2020, while discipline in maintaining physical distancing fell to 76.87 percent from 81.87 percent in November.

"We have to understand that the government cannot work alone. It needs massive movement involving all components of the society, especially non-formal leaders who have direct influence over the public," Monardo observed.

He said he believes the country will be able to win the battle against the coronavirus if all parties work jointly. In East Java, the number of novel coronavirus infections dropped sharply in November this year due to the efforts of the provincial and district administrations and volunteers, he pointed out.

"There is only one key to reduce the cases: (maintain) discipline, adhere to health protocols. Because we know how it (the virus) spreads. If we cannot maintain physical distance, wear masks, we can be infected soon," he added.

He then called on the public to adhere to the health protocols.

President Joko Widodo has warned that the availability of COVID-19 vaccine cannot be taken as a guarantee against infection for all people.

"We want people to remain adhere (to the health protocols). It has been nine months and two weeks since we imposed a national quarantine on March 13, 2020. Sixteen provinces have still recorded an increase in new cases, and the cases in 18 provinces have declined. They (Infections) have increased in most regions in Java," Monardo informed. (Antaranews)