Gov’t Extends Activity Restrictions Policy to 9 August
President Joko Widodo
The Government has announced its decision to extend the level-4 activity restrictions (PPKM) in several regencies/cities to 9 August.
“After reviewing the development of several indicators this week, the Government has come to a decision to continue the implementation of the level-4 PPKM from 3 to 9 August 2021 in several regencies/cities by implementing adjustment in community activities and mobility regulations according to the situation in each region,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Monday (02/08/2021).
The President said that the previous level-4 PPKM implemented from 26 July to 2 August has brought improvements on a national scale compared to the previous one in terms of daily cases rate, active cases rate, recovery rate and BOR [Bed Occupancy Rate].
President Jokowi also said that the Government’s policies in handling the COVID-19 pandemic are based on three main pillars.
First, the speed of vaccination, especially in areas that become centers of mobility and economic activity.
Second, the massive implementation of health protocols in communities.
Third, massive testing, tracing, isolation, and treatment measures, including maintaining BOR, adding centralized isolation facilities, as well as ensuring the availability of medicines and oxygen supply.
“In any situation, discipline in implementing health protocols is the key to people’s health and livelihoods,” he said.
The President went on to say that to reduce the burden on communities due to various restrictions on mobility and socio-economic activities, the Government continues to speed up the distribution of social protection programs and social assistance.
“The Government continues to speed up the distribution of social assistance for the people, including the Family Hope Program (PKH), Cash Transfer (BST), and Village Cash Transfer (BLT). Assistance for micro, small businesses, and street vendors, and wage subsidy program have started and the Presidential assistance program for micro enterprises has been launched on 30 July,” the President explained.
On that occasion, the President expressed his highest appreciation to health workers, doctors, and nurses who have been at the forefront of saving human lives due to COVID-19.
The President also expressed gratitude to all Indonesian people for their understanding and support for the implementation of the Government’s policy of restricting community activities.
“The choice of the community and the Government is the same, namely between facing the threat of life posed by COVID-19 and facing economic threats, losing livelihoods and jobs. To that end, balanced policies must be carried out dynamically according to the development of the spread of COVID-19 in the recent days,” he said.
The President also praised volunteers and philanthropists who helped the Government to enforce health protocols, facilitate self-isolation, and provide other supports.
“COVID-19 is a challenge that we must overcome together through our efforts and hard work as well as our sacrifices in undergoing various activity restrictions. God willing, we will soon be free from the COVID-19 pandemic,” the President remarked. (PR of Cabinet Secretariat/FID/UN) (RI/MUR)
