“New Normal” Expected for Economic Recovery: Coordinating Minister
“A new normal” during which the people implement new health protocols and to remain productive and to be safe from COVID-19 until a vaccine is found is expected to rebuild the economy, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has said.
“Of course we need to be more disciplined in implementing all regulations stipulated by the Government,” Airlangga told journalists after attending Limited Cabinet Meeting, Wednesday (27/5).
According to him, the involvement of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) in supporting the implementation of the new normal in the regions will be communicated to the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) and regional leaders.
For capital Jakarta alone, Airlangga added, the Government will monitor the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) and mudik exodus before implementing the next policy.
Airlangga went on to say that the recent R0 (basic reproduction number) aggregate in Jakarta is lower than 1, but the number will be monitored until 4 June.
“There are some regions that report decreasing trends. The data is from the BNPB and is collected and and aggregated by the Bappenas (National Development Planning Agency),” Airlangga explained.
In addition to the reproduction number, he added, other important variables are disease development, virus monitoring, health care services, and readiness of all elements of the society.
“Another important factor is the readiness of the communities in maintaining self-discipline,” Airlangga said, adding that all stakeholders must join hands to make regions safe from COVID-19.
The safe zones themselves will be determined by the COVID-19 National Task Force and regional governments, he added.
Airlangga further said that the expected recovery is V-shaped or U-shaped recovery, not W-shaped recovery.
“W-shaped recovery means that there is a secondary attack or there is an extraordinary situation that we do not expect that. Of course we have also prepared specific protocols for dealing with extraordinary circumstances,” Airlangga stated. (MAY/EN)
Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas