UNS — In recent times, the Government of Indonesia is striving to suppress the spread of SARS-CoV-2 after Indonesia is determined as the epicenter of Covid-19 spread in June-July. One of the efforts taken by the government is by implementing the Enforcement of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) under emergency situations on a different level for Java and Bali region, as well as other regions.
Moreover, the central government also requests the Regional Government to increase tracing and facilitate the doctors and medical staff when conducting contact tracing on Covid-19 patients. Furthermore, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), specifically stressed that PCR test must be increased and adopting the special requirement for the community to have a Covid-19 vaccine certificate before entering shopping center or antigen swab test for those who wish to use long-range mass transportation.
Responding to the policy, the UNS Hospital Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, dr. Tonang Dwi Ardyanto, Ph.D., reminded us to implement health protocol, which is more crucial than swab testing and Covid-19 vaccination. Specifically, he highlights certain people’s attitudes, who feel safe and ‘free’ after taking antigen swab test. While the result of the test is not the only determining factor or assurance. “Actually, how important is taking an antigen swab test before going on a train (for traveling)? If it was me, I always prefer to implement health protocol compared to just taking an antigen swab test. Because a one-time antigen swab test is not a guarantee,” said dr. Tonang.
In the Virtual Talkshow “Freedom in Transportation” hosted by Solopos, on Wednesday (18/8/2021) evening available through Solopos official Youtube, dr. Tonang, as a clinical pathology specialist in UNS Hospital, states that the policy implemented by the government to reduce Covid-19 spread must be clear and assertive. Additionally, the vaccination rate in Indonesia remains insufficient to guarantee the nation to be free from the health crisis. In front of the Indonesia Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya and the President Director of PT KAI Didiek Hartantyo, dr. Tonang explains the effect of vaccination, which is only effective after the recipients get the complete dosage and after passing fortnight since the second dosage.
“We need to assert that the first dosage of the Covid-19 vaccine does not have the expected result, thus the current regulation must clear up this matter. Do not take the risk; the provision must require that vaccination must be completed and passed fourteen days after the second shot,” dr. Tonang explains. Hence, if the public wishes to do long-range travel using mass transportation, he considers that the most important thing is to implement health protocol supported with passenger screening consistently.
dr. Tonang also requests PT KAI as a train transportation operator to ensure that the passengers entering the wagon are not having colds or high fever. Regarding herd immunity, dr. Tonang explains such a situation can only be realized when the vaccine is given to a community in a certain region without mobility. However, considering the Indonesian situation, he considers that herd immunity is still not possible, as the government still allows cross-regional travel.
“Even if we want to consider herd immunity, this is actually too idealistic. We are still far away from it (herd immunity). The President of Indonesia frequently states that the focus is in the health sector, thus, the economy sector will follow suit (improving),” he concluded. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti