Stay Vigilant of COVID-19, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi deliverers a press statement at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province, Sunday (02/05/2021). (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has urged the public to remain vigilant of COVID-19 transmission risks despite a drop in active cases and progress in the Government’s vaccination program.

“We must stay highly vigilant. We cannot let our guards down. We cannot underestimate COVID-19,” the President said in a statement at Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java province, Sunday (02/05).

The curve of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has flattened lately since micro-scale public activity restrictions and mass vaccination programs were in place.

As of today, the number of active cases in the country has decreased to approximately 100,000 and there is also an upward trend of COVID-19 patient recovery and a downward trend of daily cases.

However, amid the positive improvement, the Head of State reminded the public not to be overconfident and euphoric as the improvement resulted from recent pandemic management measures does not indicate that the pandemic has been completely under control.

“Do not feel safe yet. Not yet! We must carry on the measures to curb active cases and it highly depends on the discipline of us all in observing health protocols,” he said.

The President added that everyone, including those in the red, orange, yellow, and green zones who have been and have not been vaccinated, must remain disciplined in observing health protocols, namely by wearing a mask, maintaining a safe distance, and washing hands routinely.

The President also pointed out that the positive improvement of COVID-19 pandemic management has boosted economic activities in the regions, adding that the recovery momentum must be maintained by heightening discipline in observing health protocols.

“I order governors, regents, and mayors to continue to remind the public to be disciplined in observing health protocols and to synergize with the Central Government by banning mudik (annual travel ahead of Eid) around the time of this year’s Eid,” he stated.

The Head of State closed his press statement by underscoring that public safety and health are the Government’s top priority; thus, discipline in observing health protocols and vigilance of COVID-19 transmission risks must be maintained.

“God willing, we can go through these trying times together,” he remarked. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/AIT/TAR) (DH/EP)