Introductory Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at Limited Cabinet Meeting on Evaluation of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Implementation, 22 November 2021, Presidential Office, Jakarta

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
May prosperity be upon us all.

Distinguished Vice President,

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the Limited Cabinet Meeting this afternoon we will conduct weekly evaluation on the implementation of the public activity restrictions policy (PPKM).

Last week, our (COVID-19) active cases decreased by 892 cases, from 9,018 cases on November 14, to 8,126 cases on November 21, while a daily average number of new cases was 362.

As the Christmas and New Year holiday season approaches, we have learned that the cases of COVID-19 in Europe are increasing. Now, I would like to address several matters.

First, I order all ministries and institutions to share the same commitment to maintain situation in December 2021. Once again, we must share the same commitment and avoid prioritizing sectoral interest. We must prioritize cooperation and coordination to ensure that we share the same commitment.

Second, I remind you that the kick off for the Sherpa Meeting at the G20 Summit will be held in Jakarta and the kick off for the Finance Track event will be held in Bali in early December, so we will be in the global spotlight. To that end, our ability to control the pandemic, especially in implementing health protocols, will be tested.

Therefore, I order (COVID-19) Task Force to assist all delegation upon their arrival at the airport, at the hotel, in the hotel or resort area, and at the venues. This is very important.

Third, the plan for implementing Level 3 activity PPKM across Indonesia during Christmas and New Year must be disseminated properly to the public. The dissemination must include the information on the latest development of cases and the increasing number of cases in Europe. This is very important as a background for the decisions we will take, because there are some people who disapprove the implementation of the Level 3 PPKM because they want the situation to return to normal. We must remember that although the tourism in Bali will be the most affected, but if the situation cannot be brought under control, it will badly affect our economy and tourism. Once again, we will host 150 meetings at the G20 events. Therefore, I demand that ground level management is carried out by the Task Force on the events.

Fourth, I order Governors, Regents and Mayors to make balanced policies so that we can maintain the momentum for positive growth. We know that in the second quarter (our economy) grew by 7.07 percent, in the third quarter it grew by 3.51 percent, and we expect that in the fourth quarter the growth will be better than that of the third quarter.

Fifth, I order Minister of Health to take anticipatory measures to ensure hospital readiness in the event of a spike in number of patients during late December (this year) and early January 2022, especially by mitigating the situation in areas that have the potential to have case increase.

Finally, regarding vaccination, we must achieve the existing target of 70 percent at the end of the year. I urged all stakeholders to be proactive in reaching out to communities and I order the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to back the measures up, especially in vaccination drive for the elderly. I have seen that the door to door (vaccination) carried out by the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) has provided access for the elderly to get vaccinated. I hope that governments of the regions with low vaccination rate will get special assistance.

That concludes my remarks. (RI/LW)