The decision to extend the imposition of the COVID-19 prevention measure has been made ahead of the long holiday to mark Isra Miraj (Prophet Muhammad’s Ascension Day) and Nyepi (Day of Silence), head of the Jakarta Health Office, Widyastuti, informed.
The extended imposition of PPKM Mikro is based on Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan's letter No.213/2021, she stated on the Jakarta government's official website on Monday.
The provincial government is continuing to make efforts to prevent any potential increase in new cases and to optimize health services and improve the recovery rate, she added.
According to Widyastuti, the number of active COVID-19 cases in the Indonesian capital has shown a declining trend.
On February 21, 2021, 13,309 active cases were reported in the capital. By March 7, 2021, the number of active cases had declined to 7,209, she added.
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The central and regional governments have been striving to reduce Indonesia's COVID-19 infection rate.
The Health Ministry is working with the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) to carry out vaccinations and contact tracing at the grassroots level.
In addition to working with the TNI and police, collaborating with communities is also being considered key to bringing down the COVID-19 infection rate.
To curb infections, the government has enforced restrictions on public activity in the islands of Java and Bali since January 11, 2021.
It is also conducting a nationwide vaccination program that commenced on January 13, 2021.
The Health Ministry revealed earlier that it would take 15 months to inoculate around 181.5 million people under the vaccination program.
Since January 26, 2021, Indonesia's COVID-19 infection rate has crossed one million cases.
To attain herd immunity and free the nation from the clutches of the pandemic, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has stressed on the need for successfully administering the COVID-19 vaccine to the targeted population. (INE)
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Translator: Taufik R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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