President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) had been lifted. He also said that the wearing of masks was no longer mandatory outside the room.
“So, especially outside the room, it is no longer mandatory to wear a mask. However, indoors, if someone is wearing a mask, it is also allowed. For the sake of health,” said Jokowi, quoted on Thursday 23rd of February 2023.
Jokowi conveyed this at the briefing of the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of the Association of Indonesian Provincial Governments (APPSI) in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.
“I want to remind you again that the PPKM was revoked at the end of last year. So, if earlier the Governor of East Kalimantan said that those who wear masks are considered a bit sick, it’s not wrong. Because PPKM has been revoked,” he explained.
Jokowi conveyed a flashback to when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Indonesia in 2020. At that time, Indonesia and all countries had no experience in dealing with a pandemic.
“It was a very tough challenge, a problem that was very, very hard for us to face at that time and there was no standard or standard,” said Jokowi.
“Because not everyone has experience in dealing with this pandemic,” Jokowi continued when giving directions at the National Coordination Meeting on the Transition of Handling COVID-19 and the 2023 National Economic Recovery.
Jokowi then recalled the story of when the WHO changed the regulations regarding wearing masks. According to him, at that time the world was panicking because of the pandemic.
“We remember at the beginning what WHO conveyed, I asked them, ‘President doesn’t need to wear a mask, first, those who wear masks are coughing, only those who get hit’. Not even a week, everyone has to wear masks, it turns out He is also confused, we are also confused,” he said.
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