Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) on Thursday launched the Mask Car Movement to strengthen the implementation of the health protocols in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) ahead of the World Superbike (WSBK) event.
The WSBK race will take place at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit from November 19 to 21, 2021.
"This Mask Car Movement is the government's effort through BNPB to educate and socialize the health protocol implementation, including wearing masks," head of BNPB, Lieutenant General Ganip Warsito, said during the launch of the movement at the NTB Governor's Hall, here on Thursday.
Personnel from NTB province's Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), National Police (Polri), Regional Leader Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) representatives, and 95 regional COVID-19 Task Force volunteers have been roped in for the movement, he added.
"BNPB initiated this movement and synergized with the related stakeholders in the region. We take this movement seriously since this motorcycle racing event is the first international tourism activity to be held by Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic," Warsito elaborated.
He said he believes that the Mask Car Movement is the right strategy to control COVID-19 in the community.
The movement will cover the three districts of Central Lombok, West Lombok, and East Lombok, he informed. The activity will target areas that have the potential for crowding such as terminals, malls, shopping centers, and culinary centers, among others, he said.
In addition to mask distribution, the 95 COVID-19 Task Force volunteers will also educate the public about the importance of wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, he informed.
As many as one million masks along with 12 thousand liquid soap packs, 50,040 bars of soap, and 50,040 hand sanitizers will be distributed to the community as part of the movement, he said.
Warsito also lauded the NTB provincial government's efforts in handling COVID-19. The region has successfully lowered its community activity restriction (PPKM) level to Level 1 and become one of the four best provinces in dealing with COVID-19, he noted.
"I appreciate the hard work of all parties in NTB, as well as the media for their involvement in handling COVID-19," he said.
In addition, NTB Governor H Zulkieflimansyah said he hoped that the assistance in health protocol implementation would help communities to restore their economy.
"In NTB, many people can produce high-quality health products such as masks and hand sanitizers. We hope that in the future the health protocol assistance can take advantage of local communities to restore their economy," he added.
