Minister Confirms Continued Improvement in COVID-19 Handling

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo by: PR/Agung)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto asserted that public activity restrictions (PPKM) implemented in regions outside the islands of Java and Bali have successfully decreased the number of provinces implementing PPKM Level 4 from two to zero.

Based on weekly assessment on the implementation of PPKM in regions outside the islands of Java and Bali on 11 September 2021, there is no province implementing PPKM Level 4, while the number of provinces implementing PPKM Level 3 has declined from 22 to 16 provinces, and the number of provinces implementing PPKM Level 2 increased from three to 11 provinces.

For the record, the Government has extended the period of PPKM in regions outside the islands of Java and Bali from 7 until 20 September 2021 and the evaluation will be made fortnightly.

Airlangga added that in term of regencies/municipalities, out of 23 regencies/municipalities implemented PPKM Level 4, 17 regencies/municipalities have seen an improvement, 16 of which bettered to level 3 and one to level 2.

“Six other regencies/ municipalities still fall into Level 4 category, among others; Banda Aceh, Bangka, Medan, Kotabaru, Palangka Raya, and Palu. Nevertheless, confirmed positive cases (in the regions) and mortality rate have declined, recovery rate increased, and bed occupancy rate improved,” he explained.

Regarding people’s mobility, the Minister stated that out of the 23 regencies/municipalities, 15 have seen a rising trend in mobility while eight regencies/municipalities saw a decline in mobility.

“Three regencies/municipalities saw a decline of more than 30 percent, namely Balikpapan, Palu, and Kutai Kartanegara,” he added.

On that occasion, Airlangga also underscored that testing results in regions outside Java and Bali in the last week have exceeded the target. However, there are three provinces with testing rate of under 50 percent; namely Aceh, West Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi. On the other hand, tracing results in the regions are still low.

“As for tracing, one province recorded a rate of above 10, namely North Sumatra. In addition, [weekly] positivity rate as of 12 September was at 3.5. Regions outside Java and Bali are also within that range,” he said.

In regard to vaccination rate, four provinces have exceeded the national average rate; namely Riau Islands, North Sulawesi, Jambi, and Bangka Belitung Islands.

“In term of regencies/municipalities implementing PPKM Level 4, 12 regencies/municipalities have exceeded the national average rate. Meanwhile, 11 regencies/municipalities are still under the national average rate, among others, Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Besar, Bangka, Padang City, Mandailing Natal, Kotabaru, Kutai Kartanegara, Tarakan City, Poso, Bolaang Mongondow, and Kupang,” he remarked. (FID/UN) (RAS/MUR)