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Government warns of third COVID-19 wave ahead of holiday season
Usman Kansong, the Communications and Information Ministry’ director general of information and public communication, warned the public about a third wave of COVID-19 during a dialog with comedian Hifdzi Khoir at the 2021 Public Relations Media Award at Hotel Merusaka, Nusa Dua, Bali,
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(Courtesy of Communications and Information Ministry)
U
sman Kansong, the Communications and Information Ministry’ director general of information and public communication, warned the public about a third wave of COVID-19 during a dialog with comedian Hifdzi Khoir at the 2021 Public Relations Media Award at Hotel Merusaka, Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday (4/11/2021). The conversation centered around the prevention of this possible third wave to encourage people to stay alert.
"In the short term, I hope that public relations, especially those in the regions, can carry out various campaigns, for example by installing billboards asking the public to always maintain health protocols," said Usman.
He also revealed that in providing understanding in the community, public relations can also involve community leaders, religious leaders and traditional leaders.
In the long term, Usman and Communications and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate felt that public relations should be able to adapt to the changes happening over time. Public relations should also have the capacity to initiate digital conversations and no longer has to completely dwell on conventional media. Information has to be represented by creative content in digital media so that important messages can be delivered effectively to a more widespread audience.
“Communication aims to change attitudes and behavior. So, our communication in the context of COVID-19 is aimed at changing people's behavior so that people are more obedient in maintaining health protocols,” Usman said.
at the same dialogue, Usman also revealed the trend of new coronavirus cases in the last three or four days, which has been increasing. However, the coronavirus situation in Indonesia has been improving in general.
He explained that the government had taken mitigating measures by holding several coordination meetings to prevent a third wave after the holiday season, specifically the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. This resulted in some appeals to the public, such as for the Christian community to celebrate Christmas and New Year at home, for companies to cancel any collective leave days during that period and for entertainment centers, hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions not to hold celebrations.
"Indeed, epidemiologists have predicted that there could be an increase [in cases] in November, so we have to be careful," said Usman.
For this reason, according to him, the cooperation of all ministries, institutions and even local governments, including with regard to public relations in regions, is especially important considering their areas will become a holiday and homecoming destination during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
As of the end of October, Indonesia has recorded over 4 million COVID-19 cases, with 12,318 active cases on Saturday. The death toll stands at 143,405.
