Press Conference of President of the Republic of Indonesia on Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) Friday, 15 May 2020 at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 18 Mei 2020
Category: Speech Transcript
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Question

Will the Government start easing the PSBB?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Not yet, but we want to continue to look at the numbers, and we will see the facts on the ground. The point is, we must be very careful and avoid making the wrong decision. We must avoid making the wrong decision. However, we also have to take into account the updated situation in communities, including those affected by layoffs and lost their income. We want to ensure that the people stay productive and be safe from the COVID-19.

Question

Once the people are productive and safe from COVID-19, can they return to the normal activities?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes. We have to compromise with COVID-19 and coexist with COVID-19. I have said that we must make peace with COVID-19, because the latest information from WHO (World Health Organization) revealed that even though the curve has flatten, the virus will not disappear. Once again, we must coexist with COVID-19. Once again, the important thing is the people stay productive and be safe from the COVID-19.

Question

Does making peace means that we give up?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

No, no, no, no, it’s not like that. Coexisting does not mean that we should give up; instead, we should be adaptive. We continue the fight against COVID-19 by prioritizing and observing strict health protocols. The Government will make arrangement to help the people’s live to gradually return to normal by paying attention to the facts on the ground.

I emphasize that the public safety is still be our priority. Don’t pit them against each other as options. It is not a dilemma. Our lives have certainly changed to overcome the risk of the pandemic. That is what many people call “a new normal” or new life order. The new normal must not be filled with pessimism or fear. We must improve our productivity and make various prevention efforts. This is a dangerous disease but we can prevent and avoid it by keeping a safe distance, washing hands after doing activities, and wearing face masks. This is important. In the new normal, we should implement the measures.

Question

Once the people are productive and safe from COVID-19, will the PSBB be revoked?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

No. The PSBB still applies but, as I said earlier, we must face the new normal to be able to coexist with COVID-19. That is, community life should go on. Once again, the life goes on but we must also be able to avoid COVID-19 by washing hands after doing activities, keeping a safe distance, and wearing face masks.

Question

Once the people are productive and safe from COVID-19, can the business sectors reopen?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, of course after it is decided, the business sectors that are closed will gradually reopen. The measures to prevent the spread of the disease should be taken. For example, restaurants will be allowed to open, but they can only provide 50% quota of their normal capacity, with more distancing of the seats and the tables,

Question

Do local governments complain that their regional revenue (PAD) is decreasing?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes, nowadays, everyone complains, because surely the regional revenue has dropped dramatically. Some are decreasing by half, some are decreasing by 30 percent, because community activities also plummeted so tax and levy cannot be collected. Once again, every policy has its own consequence, one of which is the decline in regional revenue.

Question

Do you worry about the second wave (of COVID-19 pandemic)?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

I have said earlier that we must implement strict health protocols by keeping a safe distance, washing our hands after doing activities, and by wearing face masks. These are the key.

Question

(If the easing of PSBB is implemented) how do you evaluate it?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We will continue to evaluate it regularly. It will be evaluated regularly.

Question

When will the people are deemed safe from COVID-19?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Once again, we will decide after we review the facts on the ground and the figures of the curve on those test positive of the coronavirus, those have been cured and those who have died.

 

 

 

 

Translated by Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by Yuyu Mulyani

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