The relationship between social distancing and interpersonal communication through pandemic COVID-19

Throughout the pandemic COVID - 19, interpersonal communication could not be practiced in our daily routine as the COVID-19 virus is easily spread between people within close contact. This research aims to identify the relationship between social distancing and interpersonal communication during pandemic COVID - 19. This study applies the Social Exchange Theory. Quantitative method is applied in this study and data were collected through the distribution of questionnaire to 131 respondents. In addition, the findings showed that there is no significant difference on social distancing between male and female. This study discovered that there is relationship between social distancing and interpersonal communication during pandemic COVID - 19. Hence, this study contributes to the field of communication through the establishment of a more comprehensive variable related to participation in benefit of social distancing and help to develop the Social Exchange Theory. © 2023 Author(s).

THE ROLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS (PR) PRACTICES AS PROFESSIONAL PROFESSION IN MALAYSIA

Public relations (PR) function to enhance a good reputation and image of the organization. Currently, PR roles become more extensively to increase brand awareness and act as intermediate communication between the organization and the public. The functions of PR practitioner become tougher caused the advancement of technology, creation of a new market that controlled by current prime change, political changes and legal regulation in Malaysia. Therefore, these changes forced PR practitioner to change and respond to the following nature by improved skills, increased specialization and more understanding the concept of PR. Previous studies in this field emphasize aspects of the role and responsibilities of public relations, the use of social media, communication challenges and crisis management within the organization. Hence, the main focus of this study to identify professional communication from public relations perspectives. This study will examine communication as one of important area in conveying useful information in the health field, especially as the world is facing a pandemic disease Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19). Selected PR officers from the Ministry of Health (MOH) will be an interview based on the designated criteria. Meanwhile, for content analysis method will be based on the content of a speech by the Prime Minister regarding the standard new procedure (SOP) outlined by MOH. The findings will discover that the new standard of professional communication practice among health care in MOH. 2357-1330 (C) 2021 Published by European Publisher.