Gov’t Sets Target to Reduce Red Zones Before Regional Elections

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto chairs a Coordination Meeting of the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery (PEN), Friday (4/9). (Photo by: Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs).

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, who also serves as Chairperson of COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee (PEN) explained that COVID-19 Handling will focus on reducing the number of red zones in several provinces to become yellow or green zones before the 2020 Pilkada (simultaneous regional elections) is organized.

According to the Minister, the total number of COVID-19 cases globally has reached 26,121,999 cases, with a recovery rate of 70.4 percent, and death toll worldwide stands at 864,618 (with case fatality rate of 3.3 percent.

In Indonesia, Airlangga continued, the total number of COVID-19 cases has reached 187,537, while the number of recovered patients stood at 134,181 cases (with recovery rate of 71.5 percent), and the number of mortality rate has reached 7,832 cases (with case-fatality rate of 4.2 percent).

“The country’s recovery rate is higher than global average rate,” Airlangga said.

On that occasion, he also stated that 2.3 million people across the country have taken COVID-19 testing. This figure is higher than other countries, except Italy (8.8 million people) and Chile (2.4 million people), with test ratio per one million population is 8,552 people.

“Jakarta province has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases with 43,400 cases (23.6 percent); East Java province with 34,655 cases (18.8 percent); and Central Java province with 14,670 cases (8.0 percent),” he said.

The highest percentage of recovery is in the provinces of Bangka Belitung, Central Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, and Gorontalo, while provinces with the lowest death toll include North Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), and Papua.

Airlangga further said that the Government has taken some measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, among others, by promoting the 3M movement: wearing a face mask (memakai masker), washing hands (mencuci tangan), and keeping a safe distance (menjaga jarak), as well as by conducting the 3T (Testing, Tracing, and Treatment).

In addition, the mortality rate can be reduced by increasing healthcare facilities and capacities, and providing support for medical workers.

“The 3M movement campaign will be massively continued. The campaign to wear a face mask, which previously was conducted until 6 September 2020, will be extended. The campaign to practice physical distancing will be held from 7 September – 6 October 2020. Afterwards, the campaign to wash hands frequently will be held from 7 October – November 2020,” Airlangga concluded. (Public Relations of Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs / EN)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana