Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia on a Limited Meeting (through Video Conference) on Report of COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery Working Committee Monday, 28 September 2020 at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good morning,

May prosperity be upon us all.

Distinguished Vice President,

Distinguished Ministers.

I want to emphasize a few issues that have become our concern.  Data as of 27 September 2020 showed that the average active cases in Indonesia were 22.46 percent. This is slightly lower than the global average of active cases which reached 23.13 percent. I think it’s good and keeps improving.

Second, if we compare with last month, the average death rate seen in our country also decreased from 4.33 percent to 3.77 percent, from 4.33 (percent) to 3.77 (percent). However, if we compare it with the global average death rate, we are still slightly higher, because the global death rate was 3.01 percent. It is our responsibility to suppress the figure so that the death rate in our country can continue to decline.

Then, the recovery rate in our country is 73.76 (percent). This is slightly lower than the global recovery rate at 73.85 (percent). Therefore, last night I received a report from the Deputy Chairperson of the Working Committee and also from Minister of Health that all standards for treatment must follow the standards determined by Ministry of Health for the ICU, isolation rooms, or in quarantine places. This is very important. So we hope that later the death rate will decrease, then the recovery rate will be even better.

Next is related to local-based interventions. I need to state once again to the Committee, that the local-based intervention should be urged to the provinces, districts and cities. This means that the small-scale social restrictions, such as at the village, around the village, at the neighborhood community (RT), at the hamlet community (RW), at the office, or at the Islamic boarding schools, are more effective. I repeat, small-scale lockdowns will be more effective. Do not lock one city or one district, or a province, since this will harm many people.

Then, regarding the vaccination plan, I order that the vaccine injection to be planned in detail as early as possible. I order for the next two weeks there will already be a detailed planning about when it will start, where it will be located, who will do it, who will be vaccinated first, everything must be well planned, so that when the vaccine is available, we can just execute the plan.

Finally, regarding the national economic recovery. I will ask the latest developments from the Working Committee.

I conclude my remarks.

I thank you.

Translated by Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by Lulu Wuliarti