Public Search Interest Analysis on Indonesian COVID-19 Containment Policy

Abstract

To assess public search interest pattern on Indonesian containment policy and to determine the use of Google Trends as an early warning system and a tool for making a suitable form of risk communication and interventions during COVID-19 Pandemic. The data related via GT using time series data ranging from 1 March 2020 to 2 May 2020. The data then compared to the number of COVID-19 daily new cases.  Qualitative analyzes used in every spike/peaking of search interest. The time-lag correlation with Pearson correlation was performed to measure the correlation between the raised of GT data and the increase of COVID-19 cases. From the keyword searched ‘lockdown’, ‘PSBB’, and ‘jaga jarak’ has 5,3,1 peak, respectely. PSBB’ has a highly significant positive correlation (R = 0,8137) compared with ‘lockdown’ (R = -0,2494) and ‘jaga jarak’ (R = 0,3177) with Pearson correlation. Lag-period wise, ‘PSBB’ also has a highly significant positive correlation in all set (P£0,05). ‘PSBB’ reached its peak consistently based on the policy issued by the Government. Validation using time-lag correlation shows the significant correlation between RSV keywords related to Government of Indonesia personal protection and the number of COVID-19 cases. GT can be used as a public search interest in accordance with government policy and also can confirm the reaction among population which is the original policy of the Indonesian government.