President Jokowi Calls for Acceleration of Vaccination Outside Java, Bali Islands

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto delivers a press statement after a meeting on the evaluation of public activity restrictions (PPKM), Monday (25/10). (Source: screenshot of Presidential Secretariat’s Youtube Channel)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered to accelerate the vaccination progress in regions outside the islands of Java and Bali. Of 27 provinces, only 5 provinces manage to achieve first dose coverage higher than that of national average, including Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung Islands, North Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, and North Sulawesi.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto made the statement after attending a limited meeting on the evaluation of public activity restrictions (PPKM) chaired by President Jokowi, Monday (25/10).

“The vaccination in 22 other provinces is still below the national average, so it needs to be accelerated. The President also underscored that the progress in Papua, Aceh, West Sumatra, and West Sulawesi provinces should be improved continuously since they have the lowest vaccination rate at 24 to 33 percent,” the Minister said.

For second dose coverage, he added, four provinces have exceeded the national average. “Those provinces outside Java-Bali include Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung Islands, East Kalimantan, and Jambi. Meanwhile, 23 other provinces are still under the national average of 32.67 percent,” he said.

Regarding the results of the pandemic situation on weekly basis, Airlangga revealed that similar to the previous week, none of the provinces outside Java-Bali islands are at level 4. One province is at level 3, 23 provinces are at level 2, and 3 other provinces are at level 1.

Meanwhile, two regions are at level 4 for regency/city level, namely Bulungan regency in North Kalimantan province and Tambrauw regency in West Papua province. A total of 11 regions are at level 3, 273 regions are at level 2, and 100 regions are at level 1.

“We still implement the PPKM because the evaluation period will be valid until 8 November. Based on the Instruction of Minister of Home Affairs, the operating hours are limited only until 9 p.m., nothing changes,” he said.

The Coordinating Minister also pointed out the development of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia. As of 24 October, the national recovery rate (RR) reached 96.28 percent and the case fatality rate (CFR) stood at 3.38 percent.

For regions outside Java-Bali islands, Sumatra recorded a recovery rate of 95.93 percent and a case fatality rate of 3.57 percent, Nusa Tenggara recorded a recovery rate of 97.20 percent and a case fatality rate of 2.34 percent, Kalimantan recorded a recovery rate of 96.32 percent and a case fatality rate of 3.17 percent, Sulawesi recorded a recovery rate of 96.87 percent and a case fatality rate of 2.63 percent, Maluku and Papua recorded a recovery rate of 95.93 percent and a case fatality rate of 1.76 percent.

On that occasion, the Minister also explained the progress of the pandemic handling in Lombok ahead of the Mandalika World Superbike (WSBK) that will be held next November.

Based on an assessment [of the pandemic situation] in five regencies/cities in Lombok, four regencies are already at level 1, namely Mataram, North Lombok, East Lombok, and West Lombok, while Central Lombok is still at level 2.

“Central Lombok needs an improvement, especially in terms of response. And regarding the vaccination, the progress of the first dose coverage in the regency is close to 70 percent (68.69 percent) and the second dose of around 21 percent, which needs to be improved,” he said.

In addition, Airlangga also highlighted the realization of the National Economic Recovery Program (PEN) that reached 58.3 percent or Rp433.91 trillion as of 22 October.

In the health cluster, the budget realization reached 54.3 percent or Rp116.82 trillion while realization of social protection cluster (Perlinsos) reached 67 percent or Rp125.10 trillion. The realizations of priority program cluster reached 57.7 percent or Rp68.07 trillion, the MSME and corporate support cluster 38.9 percent or Rp63.20 trillion, and business incentive cluster 96.7 percent or Rp60.73 trillion. (TGH/UN-PR of Cabinet Secretariat) (RIF/MMB)