Covid transmission risk

After canceling the opening of the cinema last September, plans to open the cinema are back in the air. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in theaters, the government emphasized that the opening of cinema rooms will follow strict health protocols.

But, what is the risk of catching COVID-19 in theaters? Are health protocols sufficient to prevent transmission? Check out the following reviews.

Plans to open in cinemas and risk of COVID-19 transmission

The plan to open a cinema in Jakarta, even in a pandemic situation like now, is being carried out with the economic wheel in mind. Even so, the government claims that the plan to open this cinema has also taken into account the health aspects of preventing the transmission of COVID-19.

"In opening the economic activity, it is a long process. First, the preconditions, the preparation of the facilities themselves, the supporting facilities, and the readiness of the community itself, ”said the government spokesman for COVID-19, Wiku Adisasmito, in a press conference broadcast live on BNPB's social media.

The following are some of the points of prevention of transmission that Wiku mentioned:

1. The queue for entering and leaving the cinema is strictly guarded by keeping a distance of at least 1.5 meters.
2. Administrators must monitor all health protocols properly.
3. Cinema visitors are advised to be over 12 years old and under 60 years old, have no comorbidities and be in good health (no cough, fever, sore throat, or shortness of breath).
4. While watching, you should not eat or drink and always wear a mask.
5. The mask that is worn is recommended to have a filtering ability that is equal to or better than a surgical mask.
6. The time limit in the cinema is not more than two hours.
7. Giving distance between the seats of the audience, there is no contact with other visitors or with cinema officials.
8. All ticket bookings must be made online.

Although a number of regulations have been made, several health experts believe that the opening of a cinema in Jakarta should not be possible in the near future because the rate of active transmission is still high.

In addition, the DKI Jakarta Government requires only 25% filled capacity with a minimum seating distance of 1.5 meters. In addition, visitors are also prohibited from passing by and changing seats. Meanwhile, cinema officers are required to wear masks, face shields and gloves.

The regulation is also planned to apply to events such as seminars, weddings, workshop , or a theater performance. The DKI Jakarta government chose to relax the PSBB again after claiming a slowdown in the increase in the number of cases.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

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Confirmed

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Recovered

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DeathDistribution Map

What is the risk of transmitting COVID-19 in theaters?

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine UI, Ari Fahrial Syam, asked the government to postpone the plan to open a cinema in Jakarta until an unpredictable time limit.

"Apart from being there active case finding "There are also factors in society that are still ignorant of implementing health protocols," said Professor Ari in a written statement, Tuesday (21/7).

This suggestion was issued by FKUI after experts across fields of knowledge in their faculty conducted discussions and monitoring related to the risk of COVID-19 transmission in theaters.

COVID-19 is known to be transmitted through droplets (droplet) that comes out when someone talks, coughs, or sneezes. COVID-19 can also be transmitted by touching surfaces contaminated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

It was later discovered that COVID-19 can survive in the air (airborne) are in aerosol form and are contagious by inhalation. According to FKUI, the spread of COVID-19 is through airborne this is an added risk when the cinema opens.

Route of transmission airborne This was initially known to have occurred when medical personnel performed an intubation procedure (installing a breathing device) on a COVID-19 patient.

In addition, WHO announced that droplets infected with COVID-19 can also form into aerosols when someone breathes or talks in a closed room with poor ventilation.

The virus that causes COVID-19 in aerosol form can stay in the air for 3-16 hours, especially in indoor conditions where many people gather.

Therefore, the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in the airborne route can also cause new problems if the cinema is opened.

In this case the government advises the cinema management to do so screening health in visitors. But another problem is that a person can be infected with COVID-19 without showing symptoms of illness or a person without symptoms (OTG).

“Cinema rooms are generally closed rooms without ventilation with air conditioning circulating in the room. If there is only one visitor who is an OTG, it will potentially be a source of spreading the virus to other visitors. The minimum film duration of 1.5 hours will increase the exposure time and increase the number of aerosol particles inhaled, ”explained professor Ari.