Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
A member of Commission IX of the DPR from the PAN faction, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, asked the government to raise the level of Enforcement of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) in areas outside Java and Bali which is entering its last day, as of Monday (23/8) today.
Saleh suggested the government to extend PPKM again. However, he highlighted areas outside Java and Bali, which still showed an upward trend in cases in recent times.
“Right now, the government says, it’s actually increasing outside Java. So moving to outside Java. Outside Java, which is said to have increased, the level is now being increased,” said Saleh, by telephone to CNNIndonesia.com, Monday (23/8).
On the other hand, he said, the government could consider lowering the level and slightly loosening community mobility in areas that are starting to record a downward trend in cases, such as in Java and Bali.
He is worried that the continuous tightening will make the community more saturated. He assessed that lowering the PPKM level for regions that recorded a case slope would not be a problem, as long as the supervision of health protocols was still closely monitored.
Because, according to Saleh, in principle, PPKM as an effort to suppress community mobility is part of the implementation of health protocols.
“So that’s why we are tolerant, how can everyone continue to carry out the health program, continue to be consistent in carrying out activities, but of course with the reduction of restrictions, and the implementation of this program. I think the government knows it,” he said.
Summarizing over the past week of PPKM, positive cases did show a downward trend nationally. During the period 17-22 August, the number of positive Covid-19 cases fell to 107,718 cases, from 152,917 cases in the previous two weeks.
However, in addition to the decrease in cases, the number of testing recorded has also decreased. During the last week of PPKM, the number of testing decreased by 102,224, from the previous two weeks.
The decline also occurred in the national vaccination rate. In the period 11-16 August, the number of vaccine doses, both for the first and second doses, was 6,814,535 doses. However, during August 17-22, the achievement of Covid-19 vaccination fell to 6,033,509 doses.
Saleh asked the government to continue to accelerate the rate of national vaccination. According to him, vaccination is one of the keys, so that Indonesia can immediately escape the restriction model due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Because in theory, a region or country can escape the pandemic if 70 percent of their population has been vaccinated.
“Right now, it’s still far away. Even though the government is serious. However, there are various factors that might slow it down, including the availability of vaccines. So that must be anticipated as well,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chair of Commission IX of the DPR, Melkiades Laka Lena, agreed with the downward trend of positive Covid-19 cases nationally during the PPKM last week. According to him, what the government needs to do now is to ensure that the implementation of health care programs in the community is monitored.
Melki urged the government to start rethinking PPKM at the micro level, or RT RW, by increasing isolation places, accelerating the rate of vaccination, and ensuring the availability of drugs.
“There is a need to focus more attention, concentration and energy in the upstream sector, especially ensuring that the community is disciplined and strictly enforces health protection in various daily activities, especially in public places, and PPKM is starting to be strengthened again at the micro level at the RT RW, village, kelurahan level,” he said. him, to CNNIndonesia.com, Monday (23/8).
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