Gov’t Extends Activity Restrictions in Java, Bali to 20 September
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan delivers a statement in a virtual press conference on Monday (09/13). Source: YouTube Channel of Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment.
Indonesia has recorded improvement in several indicators of COVID-19 handling, including the lower number of regions implementing level 4 activity restrictions (PPKM), according to Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
“From 11 cities/regencies implementing level 4 PPKM last week, only 3 regencies/cities are currently implementing level 4 PPKM. This is the result of the cooperation of all stakeholders who have worked hand in hand to implement the PPKM,” Luhut said in a virtual press conference on Monday (13/09).
Luhut said that Bali province, which imposed level 4 PPKM in the period of 6 to 13 September, has managed to lower the PPKM level to level 3.
“The development of national (COVID-19) cases continues to show very significant improvement. The number of confirmed cases has dropped by 93.9 percent at the national level and 96 percent in the islands of Java and Bali compared to that of July 15,” Luhut said.
With the addition of 2,577 new cases and 12,474 recovery cases, he continued, the number of national active cases as of September 13, 2021 has been below 100,000.
Nevertheless, Luhut said that the positive development in COVID-19 handling in the islands of Java and Bali should not reduce vigilance in dealing with the pandemic. The speed of vaccination and the implementation of health protocols with the support of the PeduliLindungi application must continue to be improved, he added.
“We must stay vigilant. We don’t want to go back to the days just like before July 15,” Luhut said.
In line with the improvement in COVID-19 handling, the ongoing implementation of health protocols and the use of PeduliLindungi application, the Government has made several adjustments to the activity restrictions policy for the period of 14 to 20 September in the islands of Java and Bali, as follows.
First, the opening of cinemas with a maximum capacity of 50 percent in the regions implementing level 3 and level 2 PPKM, with the mandatory use of PeduliLindungi application and strict health protocols. Only those listed in the green category can enter the cinema area.
Second, the Government encourages increased compliance with the use of PeduliLindungi in industrial area.
“I invite Ministry of Industry, (Ministry) of Trade, and all stakeholders to join hands to overcome the issue,” Luhut stated.
Third, the addition of tourist destination that is allowed to operate in regions implementing level-3 PPKM with the implementation of strict health protocols and use of PeduliLindungi.
“The odd-even license plate policy will be put in place in tourist destinations starting from Friday at 12.00 until Sunday at 18.00 to reduce the number of vehicles entering tourist destinations,” he said.
Fourth, the Government has also added the requirements for international travelers. The travelers must have been fully vaccinated, carried out three PCR tests, and be quarantined for 8 days.
“The points of arrivals for air transportation are only (Soekarno-Hatta International Airport) Cengkareng and Manado. We are considering Bali to be another point of arrival. We will see in the next 1 or 2 weeks,” Luhut remarked. (DND/AIT/UN) (RI/MUR)
