The government has again extended the implementation of the public activity restrictions (PPKM) level 4. The shorter-term extension also involves amplified testing and tracing efforts to curb new Covid-19 cases.
By
KOMPAS TEAM
·4 minutes read
BOGOR, KOMPAS – The public activity restrictions (PPKM) level 4 policy has again been extended, from 3 to 9 Aug. The shorter duration of the extended policy is deemed to be in line with ongoing developments in Covid-19 transmission in Indonesia.
In a statement livestreamed from Bogor Palace on Monday (2/8/2021), President Joko Widodo said that, as the government and citizens faced the health and economic threats of Covid-19, the “throttle and brakes” would have to be adjusted to match developments in the virus’ spread.
"We cannot create another measure for the same long duration. We must determine the degree of restrictions on people\'s movements according to data from the last few days, so our choices are right for the economy and [public] health," the President said.
The 26 July-2 Aug implementation of PPKM level 4, the highest level of vigilance in the four-tier Covid-19 policy, is perceived to have improved the country’s pandemic situation. The PPKM level 4 extension, which started Monday and runs until 9 Aug., is adjusted under regional regulations on the PPKM according to the condition prevalent in each region.
The Covid-19 handling policy rests on the public implementation of the health protocols, as well as the accelerated vaccination drive, especially in centers of public and economic activities.
The restrictive measures must also be reinforced with wider coverage in testing and contact tracing, as well as tightly supervised self-isolation and accessible treatment services, to ensure a decline in hospital bed occupancy rates (BORs). Other aspects include the additional provision of centralized isolation facilities and the availability of medicine and oxygen supplies.
Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said that the PPKM level 4 policy was extended relative to the increase in Covid-19 deaths.
According to Home Minister Circular No. 27/2021, the PPKM level 4 extension applies to the Special Capital Region of Jakarta (DKI Jakarta), the municipalities of South Tangerang, Yogyakarta, and the regencies of Semarang, Tangerang, Pandeglang, Indramayu, Bandung, and Bantul.
To ease the burden of the extended PPKM on local residents, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said that social assistance had been prepared for micro and small businesses, street vendors and stalls, as well as low-wage workers.
Gitadi Tegas Supramudyo, a public policy lecturer from Airlangga University in Surabaya, East Java, deplored the weak implementation of the PPKM due to what he believed was poor policy consistency, marked by constant changes to the policy’s name that had resulted in confusion among officials implementing the measures on the ground.
Despite the PPKM reducing the BOR at a number of hospitals, the daily tally of new Covid-19 cases reportedly remained high in several areas such as Central Java and Surabaya.
Late response
The Covid-19 fatality rate, which remains high, has been blamed on delayed or late admissions of Covid-19 patients to hospitals. Overwhelmed hospitals and isolation centers urged patients to self-isolate at home, reportedly without adequate monitoring and supervision.
Luhut said a task force had been assigned to pick up patients from their homes and transport them to government-run isolation centers. He added that efforts to trace close contacts would also be stepped up.
Covid-19 transmission rates in Indonesia still range between 1.2 and 1.5. The government aims to lower the rate to 1 or 0.9 this month, according to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, and to increase its testing rate to 300,000-400,000 people per day in the hope of detecting infections early.
The nationwide Covid-19 vaccination rollout is expected to pick up with the arrival of more than 70 million vaccine doses this month and another 70 million doses in September. Vaccination will be prioritized in those areas with the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths, including Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, Greater Bandung, Greater Semarang, Greater Solo and Malang.
Meanwhile, the National Alms Agency (Baznas) and the Religious Affairs Ministry are moving to boost Covid-19 vaccination for students and faculty at pesantren (Islamic boarding schools).
"More than 650 kiyai (Islamic teachers/scholars) have died from Covid-19," Baznas chairman K.H. Noor Achmad said during the opening ceremony of “Kita Juga Kiyai” (we are teachers, too) at Pesantren Al Ishlah in Semarang, Central Java. (INA/TAN/HLN/DAN/DIT/BRO/ETA/DIT/TAM/DIM)