THROUGH the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, the government stated that Bali, Yogya and the Riau Islands were the first pilot projects to implement the new normal protocol for economic recovery in the tourism sector which was devastated by the Corona virus pandemic.

Taking into account the plan, as citizens of Yogya, let us try to examine the development of the Covid-19 case in DIY, the national level and several regions around us. Thus we get a more complete picture of the development of Covid-19 in DIY in the context of our readiness to welcome the reopening of temple tourism in particular, and new normal life in general later.

By analyzing the data at covid19.go.id we get an update on the development of Covid-19 until the end of May 2020. The addition of positive cases per day in the last week of May at the national level was 583 cases. If expressed as a percentage of growth (addition of cases per day / number of cases up to that day) x 100%), this value is equivalent to 2.5%. Meanwhile, the percentage of recovery reached 25.2%.

Unlike DKI Jakarta, West Java and East Java, DI Yogyakarta does not actually implement PSBB in suppressing the rate of Covid-19 infection cases. DIY Governor Sri Sultan HB X does not prohibit travelers from entering DIY. But those going home from the red zone area must report to the local village government and carry out isolation for 14 days. This is supported by the participation of residents who have conducted closure initiatives in several hamlet / village portals to facilitate checking of people entering their respective regions. Subsequently, those who were declared status as Monitoring Persons (ODP) were isolated, always monitored and given vitamins for antibodies.

In addition to this, standard Covid-19 prevention protocols such as wearing masks when leaving the house and washing hands have been carried out properly. This can be seen from every house, shop, shop and various public service places, providing water and soap for washing hands before and after entering the place. This policy proved to be successful in suppressing the rate of development of Covid-19 and increasing the percentage of recovery.

However, there is still a daily average growth rate of 0.5%. This is certainly still a potential for the development of Covid-19. Thus, if the opening of temple tourism in particular and Yogya tourism in general are really enforced, then the community must remain aware that the development of Covid-19 is still open. So it still must follow the government's health protocol as well as possible.

_______

* The article was first published in the rubric "Mind Readers" SKH Kedaulatan Rakyat, Edition Monday, June 8, 2020.