Emergency PPKM to be Implemented in Firm, Measurable Manner, Minister Says
Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment who is also Deputy Chairman of COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee Luhut Binsar Panjaitan
The Government has announced plan to implement an emergency micro-based social activity restrictions (PPKM) in the islands of Java and Bali in a firm and measurable manner.
The emergency PPK will be in place from 3 July until 20 July 2021.
“President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered his Cabinet to carry out an emergency PPKM firmly and in measurable manner. The Central Government has talked to governors, mayors, and regents throughout the country and we all agreed,” Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment who is also Deputy Chairman of COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee Luhut Binsar Panjaitan said in a press statement, Thursday (1/7)
The regulation on the emergency PPKM has also been described in detail and all regional governments are urged to reinforce it in their respective regions.
Furthermore, Luhut explained a number of authorities and things that must be done by all ranks ranging from the Central Government, regional governments, the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), and the National Police.
“The Governor has the authority to shift the allocation of vaccines from regencies and cities that have excess vaccine allocations to regencies and cities that lack it. We’ll try to make it flexible as long as it still within the corridor of the regulations,” he said.
During the emergency PPKM, regional heads prohibit any form of activities that can cause a build-up of crowds.
The TNI, Police, and the Prosecutor’s Office will also fully support regional leaders in the implementation of the Emergency PPKM.
“Everything is integrated. The TNI-Police and regional governments must carry out strict supervision by tightening community activities during the emergency PPKM period,” said Luhut.
The Minister underscored that for districts and cities that are not included in the emergency PPKM area, they will continue to implement the Instruction of Minister of Home Affairs which regulates PPKM and Optimizing COVID-19 Handling Posts at the Village and Sub-District Levels to Control the Spread of COVID-19.
The provision for Emergency PPKM, Luhut continued, will be stipulated in detail in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs that will also contain sanctions that will be imposed if a violation occurs.
“In the event that governors, regents, and mayors do not implement the provisions on tightening community activities during the emergency PPKM Period, they will be subject to administrative sanctions in the form of written warnings twice in a row up to temporary dismissal as stipulated in Article 68 paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) Law Number 23 of 2014 on Regional Government,” he said.
Luhut further said that the Government was prepared to deal with the surge in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, while ensuring that the availability of oxygen and supplies of medicines will be maintained.
Regarding the availability of medical oxygen supply, Luhut underscored that his Ministry has asked Minister of Industry to allocate 90 percent of oxygen production in the country for medical needs.
“We had a meeting to discuss supply of medicines. We have asked each province to form a task force to ensure the availability of oxygen, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals. This task force must coordinate directly with Minister of Health for any supply problem,” he said.
In addition to handling COVID-19, Luhut pointed out that the Government has also taken policies for Indonesia’s economic recovery, one of which is by increasing the distribution of social assistance during the emergency PPKM to protect middle and lower-income families.
“The President stressed that middle and lower-income families must be protected. Through these measures, the impact of emergency PPKM will be mitigated and the economy can recover faster than before,” he said. (TGH/UN) (EST/EP)
