529 Published by Bali Medical Journal | Bali Medical Journal 2021; 10(2): 529-533 | doi: 10.15562/bmj.v10i2.2414 ORIGINAL ARTICLE ABSTRACT Adherence to face mask and social distancing among residents in Medan during the COVID-19 pandemics Andre Marolop Pangihutan Siahaan 1* , Muara Panusunan Lubis 2 , Dina Arwina Dalimunthe 3 , Malayana Rahmita Nasution 4 , Hilma Putri Lubis 2 Introduction: Face mask is mandatory during the Covid-19 Pandemics as personal protection and limits the virus transmission in the community. The government of Indonesia has issued regulations regarding face masks and social distancing in the community. Due to that, it is important to explore the adherence to face masks and social distancing. This study aimed to assess communities’ adherence to face masks and social distancing and the associated factors in Medan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Medan, Indonesia, in November 2020. A total of 572 residents were enrolled using a convenience - multistage sampling method from public spaces. Data were collected using direct observation. Results: Most subjects were women (55.1%) from the adults’ age group (61.9%). Only 34.3% of the subjects wore face masks properly, and only 10.6% maintained social distancing. The most common face mask used was a cloth mask (25.8%). Women and older age tended to use face mask compared. The prevalence of face mask use is signifcantly higher with strict regulation and control (p=0.0001). We also found a correlation between the type of face mask and adherence (p=0.0001). Conclusions: We found that the adherence to face masks and social distancing was low in Medan. Therefore, it is very important to initiate interventions to foster face mask adherence in a community in Medan. Keywords: COVID-19, public adherence, face mask, social distancing. Cite This Article: Siahaan, A.M.P., Lubis, M.P., Dalimunthe, D.A., Nasution, M.R., Lubis, H.P. 2021. Adherence to face mask and social distancing among residents in Medan during the COVID-19 pandemics. Bali Medical Journal 10(2): 529-533. DOI: 10.15562/bmj.v10i2.2414 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia; 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia; 3 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia; 4 Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia. *Corresponding author: Andre Marolop Pangihutan Siahaan; Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia; andremarolop@usu.ac.id Received: 2021-04-21 Accepted: 2021-06-19 Published: 2021-06-26 529 Published by Bali Medical Journal Bali Medical Journal (Bali MedJ) 2021, Volume 10, Number 2: 529-533 P-ISSN.2089-1180, E-ISSN: 2302-2914 Open access: www.balimedicaljournal.org INTRODUCTION Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by an RNA virus, named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). 1 Similar to other respiratory infection viruses, this virus spreads mainly through close contact, from respiratory droplets and aerosol that was emitted when someone was coughing, sneezing, or even speaking. 2 Moreover, to this date, viral RNA has been found in air sampling. 3 Compared to SARS-CoV-1, SARS- CoV-2 was embedded in the upper respiratory tract. 4 Te incubation period is varied, started from three days up to twelve days. 5 During the presymptomatic period, a viable virus was found in the respiratory tract with a similar viral load to the symptomatic period. In other words, during the incubation period without any symptom, the patients have the potency to transmit this virus to others. 6 It is not surprising to see the rapid surge of this virus. First reported in China on December 2019, 7 this virus had already infected more than 100,000,000 people more in 200 countries with more than 2,500,000 confrmed death in late February 2021. 8 Te main principle of therapy for this disease is supportive and symptomatic since, to this date, there is no specifc and efective therapy for this virus. 9 Due to that, preventive measures, such as social distancing, face masks, and handwashing, play a notable role in managing this disease, especially in the community setting. 10 Currently, evidence is accumulating to support face masks and social distancing to mitigate the virus transmission in the community. A meta-analysis conducted by Li et al. showed an association between masks and signifcantly reduced risk of COVID-19 (OR=0.38; 95% CI 0.21- 0.69). 11 Furthermore, in Germany, it is said that mask regulation could reduce the rate of daily new cases up to 47%. 12 Te World Health Organization recommends that all people wear a non- valve face mask in indoor or outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. 13 As of September 2020, about 95% of the world population lived in countries that recommend face mask usage in the community setting. 14 Te government of Indonesia also has mandated all the citizens to use face masks in the community setting, either indoor or outdoor, along with social distancing and hand hygiene. 15 Given the facts and regulations above, preventive measures are essential in controlling COVID-19 in a community setting. Tus the recent study was conducted to describe the social adherence to face masks and social distancing and explore the associated factors contributing to the public’s adherence in Medan, North