Gov’t Carries Out Pandemic Management Policies Consistently: Luhut

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan delivers a virtual press statement after attending a Limited Cabinet Meeting on Evaluation of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM), Monday (01/31). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Deni)

The Government has renewed commitment to pursue policy objectives and directions in handling the COVID-19 consistently and to prepare dynamic strategies and management on the ground that has been adapted to problems and challenges following spike in cases of Omicron variant.

“This may be perceived as an ever-changing policy. In fact, we must find the best combination between public health and economic interests for the Indonesian people,” Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said in a virtual press statement after attending a Limited Cabinet Meeting on Evaluation of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM), Monday (01/31).

Luhut also revealed that during the meeting, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has reminded his Cabinet Ministers to prioritize precautionary principles in dealing with the Omicron variant.

Therefore, he said, the Government will continue to monitor daily numbers of confirmed cases, as well as hospital bed occupancy rates and vaccination progress in the regions.

“If things go wrong and the condition gets worse, we can take quick and measurable steps properly as directed by the President,” he said.

Luhut went on to say that every policy set by the Government is based on data and conditions on the ground, as well as inputs from related experts such as epidemiologists from University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University, Airlangga University, and doctors.

Based on the data he received, Luhut explained that hospitalization rate due to the Omicron spreads in several countries such as the United States, Israel, South Africa, and the United Kingdom was one-third lower than that caused by the Delta variant.

However, he added, the number of hospitalizations due to the Omicron variant is more than three times higher than that of the Delta cases.

“From the data, we are attempting to analyze that the number of Omicron hospitalized cases in Indonesia can be higher than the Delta if the daily cases increased by three times. To date, we still estimate that this figure is unlikely to happen. We should not worry too much but we should remain vigilant,” he said.

On that occasion, the Minister also underscored that the confirmed cases as of January 30 still stood at one-fifth of the Delta peak in July last year, adding that the number of hospitalized patients is currently a tenth of the Delta peak.

“We are taking a mitigation measure once Omicron malignancy occurs. Ministry of Health has prepared adequate health facilities, which are way much better than last year,” he remarked. (DID/AIT/ST) (RIF/EP)