Imam Hamdi, Jakarta – An epidemiologist at the University of Indonesia, Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, reminded the government to slow down in opening the schools at the new normal period. He reasoned that the Covid-19 case in Jakarta is still high.

"So stop talking about reopening schools, even though the capacity will be limited to 50 percent," Tri told Tempo Friday, June 26.

Jakarta Education Department official Momon Sulaeman said that the authorities would possibly implement certain policies to manage the school reopening plan.

"But we'll still need parents' approval regarding their children's participation at schools," Momon said in an online discussion dubbed 'Ideal Education System in the New Normal Era', Thursday, June 25.

Tri suggested the government start reopening schools next year due to several considerations; Jakarta's red zone status, the capital's status as the epicenter of Covid-19 transmission, and the fluctuating Rt number as the daily new case still surpass 100. "So, it's still not safe."

The epidemiologist also said the government should learn from other countries. China only relaxed its policy after the case reached zero, even Australia with only 9 cases left and zero new cases did not dare to reopen schools.

Meanwhile, South Korea now has to face a second wave after it relaxed the Covid-19 restriction including the school reopening.

Tri highlighted the rising coronavirus transmission case in East Java in which he viewed it was caused by the city's negligence in relaxing its policies while the transmission case was still high.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1358519/epidemiologist-urges-govt-to-not-reopen-schools-yet