Statement of the President of the Republic of Indonesia on the Latest Development of Activity Restrictions (PPKM), 2 August 2021

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

May prosperity be upon us all,

Om Swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

My fellow citizens,

First and foremost, I would like to express my highest appreciation to health workers, doctors, and nurses who have been at the forefront of saving human lives due to COVID-19 pandemic.

I would like to express gratitude to all Indonesian people for your understanding and support for the implementation of the Government’s policy of restricting people activities.

The option available for the people and the Government is the same, namely between facing the threat of life posed by COVID-19, and facing economic threats and losing livelihoods and jobs. To that end, balanced policies must be carried out dynamically according to the development of the spread of COVID-19 in the recent days.

We cannot make the same policy for a long period. We must determine the level of restriction on people’s mobility according to the data available in the recent days so that our choices will be right, both for health sector and for the economic sector. In any situation, discipline in implementing health protocols is the key to people’s health and livelihoods.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our policies in handling the COVID-19 pandemic are based on three main pillars. First, the speed of vaccination, especially in areas that become centers of mobility and economic activity. Second, the massive implementation of health protocols in communities. Third, massive testing, tracing, isolation, and treatment measures, including maintaining BOR [Bed Occupancy Rate], adding centralized isolation facilities, as well as ensuring the availability of medicines and oxygen supply.

The policy of level-4 activity restrictions (PPKM) implemented from 26 July to 2 August has brought improvements on a national scale compared to the previous one in terms of daily cases rate, active cases rate, recovery rate and BOR [Bed Occupancy Rate].

To that end, after reviewing the development of several indicators this week, the Government has come to a decision to continue the implementation of the level-4 PPKM from 3 to 9 August 2021 in several regencies/cities by implementing adjustment in community activities and mobility regulations according to the situation in each region. The detailed information will be explained by Coordinating Minister and relevant Ministers.

To reduce the burden on communities due to various restrictions on mobility and socio-economic activities, the Government continues to speed up the distribution of social assistance for the people, including the Family Hope Program (PKH), Cash Transfer (BST), and Village Cash Transfer (BLT). Assistance for micro, small businesses, and street vendors as well as wage subsidy program have started, and the Presidential assistance program for micro enterprises has been launched on 30 July.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Despite the recent positive development, the COVID-19 pandemic is still very dynamic and fluctuating. Once again, we must continue to be vigilant in making various efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

I would like to express my appreciation to volunteers and philanthropists who help the Government to enforce health protocols, accommodate  self-isolation facilities, and provide other supports.

COVID-19 is a challenge that we must overcome together through our efforts and hard work as well as our sacrifices in undergoing various activity restrictions. God willing, we will soon be free from this COVID-19 pandemic

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Om santi santi santi om. (RI/LW)