The phrase “New Normal” is quickly becoming a part of everyday life around the world. Indonesia is no exception. In fact here in they don’t even translate it they just use the English, “New Normal” as they attempt to open up the country and reclaim their everyday lives.
In Medan life seems to be returning to a fairly regular routine. The outdoor markets are full of people, the traffic is back on the streets, the malls are visited, and there are people eating in the restaurants. Of course, key differences that make this a new normal do exist.
The most obvious is masks. The vast majority of people here wear a mask without comment or protest. A large amount of people wear it incorrectly under the nose, but I doubt that this is unique to Indonesia. No one can enter a public building without a mask.
Another new addition to normal is temperature checking machines at the entrances to many public buildings. These machines are located mainly in higher end malls and retail stores. The smaller shops have a security guard with a non-contact thermometer checking everyone’s temperature.
Hand washing stations have also made their way into everyday life. Whether you’re going to an ATM, an Indomart (a convenience store like 7-11), the mall, the office, or even the out door market, these hand washing stations are everywhere. I quickly learned that it is a good idea to make sure that the water is running BEFORE I get my hands full of soap. Once inside the store there is also an ample amount of hand sanitizer available. I have also learned to make sure it is actually hand sanitizer and not lotion samples.
The recommendation/requirement to social distance is all over. There are posters, billboards, tv & radio commercials, and various other public service announcements.
Special markings on the floor, escalators, and in the elevators help people keep their distance. However, all this is generally ignored by the people in Medan. In any event, I don’t think it would really be possible social distance. There just isn’t enough space and it’s not part of the culture anyway. For example if you practice social distancing in the checkout line most Indonesians will assume that you’re not actually in line and enter the queue in front of you.
Any sense of Normal “new” or otherwise has yet to return to the schools which remain exclusively online per the government’s orders. It matters not whether the school is public or private any in person education is prohibited. The movie theaters are also still shuttered.
Whether it be new normal, old normal, abnormal, differently insane, or whatever circumstances lie at the end of this covid-19 timeline we know that our Lord Jesus Christ reigns over all, and the ministry of the Gospel will continue. This truth is eternally consistent. Amidst the chaos of this world we pray for the Eternity of the New Creation to be revealed to us on the day Jesus Christ returns in glory.