Doni Monardo, the head of COVID-19 task force and BNPB. (Image via Kompas)

Doni Monardo: COVID-19 is a responsibility for all

Speaking on Monday, the head of Indonesia's task force for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Doni Munardo, stated that it could not solve the pandemic alone. Doni, taking the duty as the head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), said that it requires an integrated Penta helix strategy that involves between the government, media, community, business, and academic in order to tackle COVID-19.

Moreover, Doni stated that the pandemic, triggered by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has changed people's lifestyle around the world. He added that the so-called "new normal" during COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to live their daily lives in a new way. Doni asserted that the change of behaviour and public awareness is important, such as maintaining health protocols to stop the widespread and flatten the infection curve. Therefore, the COVID-19 task force formed the team with a guideline on behavioural change to be the spearhead of the local task force in managing COVID-19.

Doni stated that in handling the pandemic, the task force lists activities suitable to the characteristics of the region. Furthermore, the team is also responsible to ensure the awareness and obedience of the people - without any exception - to the COVID-19's preventive measures such as wearing a mask, maintaining social-distancing & avoiding the crowd, and washing hands with soap and water. Doni added that such measures should become a habit so that Indonesia could win the war against the pandemic.

Source: https://bit.ly/386A9kw