European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The study aims to describe and analyze the implementation of policies for handling Covid-19 and its obstacles. The review uses qualitative methods with data collection techniques based on literature studies sourced from journals, online media and print media, reports from agencies, survey results, and expert input in focus group discussions. The study found that policy implementation was less than optimal due to the slow response of the Government at the beginning of the pandemic, causing the policy to handle Covid-19 to be late, inconsistencies in policies to restrict activities across countries, and procedures made it difficult for local governments to propose the implementation of large-scale social restrictions in their areas. Barriers to policy implementation include bureaucratic, structural constraints, the sub-optimal organizational performance of the Covid-19 Task Force in the regions; weak coordination between central and regional governments; unsynchronized regulations between ministries. Second, barriers to public communication, namely misalignment of statements between public officials, invalid socialization, and weak efforts to overcome misinformation and fake news from Covid-19. Resource constraints, limited health personnel, personal protective equipment, medical masks, expensive Covid-19 test costs, and unequal laboratory availability. Furthermore, not all local governments are obedient to implementing the Covid-19 handling policy and the low level of citizen compliance in the disposition aspect. Finally, government officials have not adopted a crisis leadership style for swift and decisive decision-making and action. The recommendations proposed are increasing the role of the Ministry of the interior in improving central and regional coordination, synchronizing regulations between ministries, as well as revising rules regarding the formation of a Covid-19 Handling Task Force, preparing officers and completeness of personal protective equipment as well as the availability of medical masks, and ensuring affordability of test prices Covid-19 for residents. Law enforcement regarding the spread of fake news and citizen non-compliance by establishing local regulations that impose sanctions.