Preventing COVID-19 Transmission, City Closes Schools for Two Weeks

Jakarta Provincial Government decided to cancel school activities for two weeks, on March 16-28, 2020 to anticipate the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

We decide to close schools, including courses, informal and formal education

It was announced after meeting between Jakarta Provincial Government with Dr. Fery Rahman, M.KM (PB IDI Deputy General Secretary), Dr. Sholah Imari, MSc (member of the Indonesian Association of Epidemiologist/PAEI), Dr. Triana Damayanti Akbar (Head of Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) of DKI Jakarta), and WHO representative for Indonesia, Dr. Paranietharan.

From the COVID-19 cases that had already infected numbers of citizens in parts of the world, it is known that children become the carriers for transmission between adults, although the child doesn't show COVID-19 symptoms. Thus, government's decision to cancel teaching and learning activities in schools for two weeks is considered the right step that needs to be taken in minimizing the potential spread of COVID-19 outbreak in Jakarta.

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"Why we take this decision? First, studies have shown that not many children were infected by COVID-19. But, they are carriers from one adult to another. So, even though they are not infected, and in a small number, but they can transmit from one person to another. Secondly, school activities always involve adults. Like sending children to school, picking them up, related to mobility, and then it has the potential to increase the intensity of adult meetings," said Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan as quoted from Jakarta PPID press release on Saturday (3/14).

He also informed that there are 1.5 million children who study at schools in Jakarta. Including 124 thousand students at XII grade in high schools and vocational schools who are taking the National Exam. This decision also caused the National Exam for vocational school students which was supposed to take place on March 16-19, 2020 to be postponed.

"Jakarta Provincial Government decided to close all schools in Jakarta and replace it with a long-distance learning method. We also postponed the National Exam that supposed to be held tomorrow. This school closure applies for 2 weeks and we will see the progress and review it on the last period," he explained.

This instruction is valid for all schools in Jakarta, from elementary to high schools. For the next 14 days, Jakarta Provincial Government will disinfect all school facilities and ensure it clean.

During the closure, students are instructed to study at home and limit themselves from visiting public spaces, avoid the crowd or activities that involving many people. Parents also considered to monitor their children and ensure them to perform a clean and healthy lifestyle, getting used to wash their hands using running water and soap or hand sanitizer that contains 70-80% alcohol.

"We decide to close schools, including courses, informal and formal education. We recommend all of them to cancel all direct teaching and learning activities. Please use the long-distance or digital method. Its purpose is to reduce the physical interaction that is potential of virus transmission," he conveyed.

Further information regarding government's action in handling COVID-19 outbreaks can be accessed via https://corona.jakarta.go.id or COVID-19 Response Team call center in 112 or Whatsapp 0813-8837-6955.