Gov’t Issues New Regulation to End COVID-19 Pandemic Response
The Government has issued Presidential Regulation Number 48 of 2023 on Termination of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Response promulgated on August 4, following the Government’s move to declare the disease as endemic in the country.
“Arrangements need to be made to terminate the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response carried out during the pandemic,” the regulation reads.
It also declares the end of the term of office of Committee for COVID-19 Response and National Economic Recovery (CCRNER).
“With the end of the term of office and dissolution of the committee, COVID-19 response during the endemic period is carried out by Ministry of Health (MOH) in accordance with provisions of laws and regulations,” the regulation reads.
As for the cross-institutional response of COVID-19 during the endemic period, it is based on the standard operating procedure (SOP) for COVID-19 response involving related ministries, government institutions, and/or regional governments, assignments to the National Agency for Disaster Management in procurement of vaccines, medicines, and medical devices according to necessities, and funding.
Provisions on the SOP for COVID-19 response are regulated by a regulation of MOH upon obtaining consideration from Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of Home Affairs, and/or other ministries/heads of institutions as deemed necessary.
The presidential regulation also states that COVID-19 medicines and vaccines procured before Presidential Regulation Number 17 of 2023 on Declaration of the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic Status in Indonesia was in effect may still be used until they expire.
“COVID-19 medicines and vaccines that have obtained an emergency use authorization before Presidential Regulation Number 17 of 2023 on Declaration of the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic Status in Indonesia was in effect may still be used provided that they meet the efficacy, security, and quality requirements,” the regulation reads.
Further provisions on the use of COVID-19 medicines and vaccines are regulated in Regulation of the Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency.
The presidential regulation also states that policies implemented by the CCRNER, ministries/institutions, and/or regional governments on COVID-19 pandemic response and/or facing threats that hurt the national economy and/or financial system stability, as well as the resulting rights and obligations before Presidential Regulation Number 17 of 2023 was in effect remain valid until the rights and obligations are fulfilled in accordance with provisions of laws and regulations.
As the presidential regulation comes into effect, the following regulations related to COVID-19 response are revoked and declared null and void. They are:
- Presidential Regulation Number 82 of 2020 on CCRNER as amended by Presidential Regulation Number 108 of 2020; and
- Presidential Regulation Number 99 of 2020 on Vaccine Procurement and Vaccination Implementation in COVID-19 Pandemic Response as amended by Presidential Regulation Number 14 of 2021, Presidential Regulation Number 50 of 2021, and Presidential Regulation Number 33 of 2022.
“This presidential regulation comes into effect on the date of its promulgation,” the regulation reads. (UN) (DH/EP)
