It Takes Consistency in Health Protocols to Flatten Pandemic Curve: Minister

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan delivers his statement on the evaluation of the implementation of Emergency PPKM, Saturday (17/07). (Source: Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment’s YouTube)

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan reported a decrease in community mobility and activities during Java-Bali Emergency Public Activity Restrictions (Emergency PPKM), which has been imposed from 3 July.

“The results of our monitoring based on the Google Traffic, Facebook Mobility, and Night Light Index indicators have shown a significant decrease in community mobility and activities,” Luhut said virtually in a Joint Press Statement on the Evaluation of the Implementation of Emergency PPKM, Saturday (17/07).

This decrease is expected to suppress the spread of COVID-19, which is currently surging mainly due to the more transmissible Delta variant, he added.

Luhut stated that a notable decrease in mobility and activities during Emergency PPKM was seen in Special Capital Region of Jakarta and Bali provinces. He also asked the people in Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java, and other provinces to join hands to fight the Delta variant.

The Coordinating Minister stated that according to research results of various institutions, it takes approximately two to three weeks to see the flattening of the curve. “This is very possible if we are all consistent with the implementation of the PPKM,” he said.

In his press statement, Luhut also said that under the directive of President Joko “Jokowi” WIdodo, the Government has continued to exert efforts in dealing with the pandemic. However, he admitted that these efforts still need to be intensified.

The Government, he said, has also worked around the clock to ensure the availability of health services. He added that the downstream efforts were only a temporary solution.

“Although we continue to work hard to improve the hospital’s facilities, this is only a temporary solution. The permanent solution is to implement strict health protocols and speed up the vaccination drive to achieve herd immunity,” he said.

Luhut also appealed to all elements of society to remain discipline in maintaining health protocols and to participate in vaccination programs.

He also stated that the Government is currently evaluating the PPKM and discussing the need for further extension. “We will report it to the President and I think in the next two or three days we will also officially announce it,” he remarked. (DND/UN (FI/MUR)