Anticipating Covid-19 spike outside Java-Bali

Local administration heads were asked to supervise tightly the implementation of the micro-scale public activity restrictions, from 6 to 20 July at the time when Java-Bali is imposing the emergency PPKM.

RUSMAN - BIRO PERS SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN

President Joko Widodo together with the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono (right) and Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Ganip Warsito (left) inspecting the Pasar Rumput Flats, Jakarta, Wednesday (7/7/2021) night.

The government has implemented PPKM Mikro in 43 regencies and municipalities in 20 provinces outside Java-Bali. The measures have been taken in the face of rising Covid-19 cases in those areas.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — With the spike in Covid-19 cases beginning to threaten in a number of areas outside Java and Bali, more anticipatory measures need to be taken to avoid a crisis in hospital capacity, oxygen procurement and health workers, as occurred in Java.

Local administrations have been urged to prepare as early as possible the health workers, oxygen supply and the availability of inpatient / ICU wards. Health protocol monitoring also needs to be tightened to curb the pandemic.

President Joko Widodo, accompanied by Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono and National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Ganip Warsito, inspected the Pasar Rumput apartment-turned quarantine center in Jakarta, Wednesday (7/7/2021) night.

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The quarantine center is designated for Covid-19 patients experiencing mild symptoms and those without symptoms.

The President urged governors, regents and mayors throughout the country to allow themselves time for field inspections to oversee the logistics preparation, including medicines, medical devices, oxygen supply and isolation places.

"Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the doctors, health workers and all volunteers, who have worked morning, afternoon and night in the context of handling Covid-19," President Jokowi said.

Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, an epidemiologist from the Public Health School, University of Indonesia, said that public mobility outside Java and Bali must begin to be tightened.

“Healthcare facilities outside Java and Bali, especially in remote and outermost areas, are very minimal. If there is massive transmission, the handling will be even more difficult," he said.

During a press conference, Covid-19 Task Force and National Economic Recovery head Airlangga Hartarto said the number of active cases of Covid-19 reported in areas outside Java-Bali had increased 34.4 percent in the past week.

KOMPAS/ADITYA DIVERANTA

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto inspects the Covid-19 vaccination process for the elderly at Husada Hospital, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (21/4/2021).

Vigilance over possible case escalation has been called for in 43 regencies/municipalities in 20 provinces that are considered to be in level four of the Covid-19 crisis.

Local administration heads were asked to supervise tightly the implementation of the micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM Mikro), from 6 to 20 July at the time when Java-Bali is imposing the emergency PPKM.

Airlangga also asked the regions to prepare infrastructure for the implementation of PPKM Mikro as well as increase testing and tracing.

He said the 43 areas were being monitored on a daily basis. "If the supporting facilities in an area are increasingly limited or incapacitated, in accordance with the existing mechanism and criteria, we will upgrade the area status from being tight to emergency," he said.

To anticipate a spike, local governments need to decrease the occupancy rate to 40 percent.

Airlangga said that eight provinces had a hospital occupancy rate of 60 percent, namely Lampung, Riau Islands, East Kalimantan, West Papua, West Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Bengkulu and West Sumatra. To anticipate a spike, local governments need to decrease the occupancy rate to 40 percent.

Regions tighten protocols

Lampung Governor Arinal Djunaidi said strict inspections were being carried out on people who came from Java and the need for health facilities such as oxygen supply had also been prepared. Likewise the availability of examination laboratories and Covid-19 referral hospitals.

The increasing number of cases in South Sulawesi means that there is no longer a green zone in the region. Restrictions on the activities of residents in Makassar, which is the epicenter of transmission, have been tightened to minimize the risk of transmission.

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Makassar Mayor M. Ramdhan Pomanto again issued a circular urging people to limit their movement. Tourist attractions, entertainment venues, restaurants and nightclubs must close after 5 p.m. Houses of worship are temporarily closed.

HUMAS PEMPROV SUMUT

North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi gave a statement after a coordination meeting regarding the ban on going home, in Medan, North Sumatra, Friday (30/4/2021).

In North Sumatra, Governor Edy Rahmayadi has extended the enforcement of PPKM Mikro in Medan, Sibolga, Binjai, Tebing Tinggi, Pematang Siantar and Padang Sidimpuan.

For Medan and Sibolga in particular, the measures have been tightened, such as suspending religious activities in places of worship, requiring 75 percent of staff to work from home, a maximum quota of 30 people for wedding gatherings, and limiting the operating hours of malls and restaurants to before 5 p.m.

The East Kalimantan provincial government has also restricted the movement of the residents to reduce the rate of transmission of Covid-19. Working from home is again obligatory for civil servants and private workers.

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East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor issued a circular that stated that civil servants may only work in offices for a maximum of one-fifth of the total number of employees. In addition, business trips outside the area are limited, only for high urgent needs.

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

A banner containing an invitation to take part in the Covid-19 vaccination at Trisakti Port, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Wednesday (30/6/2021).

In Aceh, a number of entry points to Banda Aceh are tightly checked. Only residents who have been vaccinated and tested negative for Covid-19 are allowed to pass. (TAN/AGE/REN/AIK/FRN/KOR/NDU/CIP/JOL/RAM/NSA/AIN/JUM/CAS)

(This article was translated by Musthofid)