When it took effect, 25 out of the 128 districts and cities in Java and Bali were at a high risk (of COVID-19 transmission). Until its enforcement on February 28, the number of red zones declined to 10."Jakarta (ANTARA) - Micro-scale public activity restriction (PPKM) imposed in Java and Bali was effective in thwarting the transmission of COVID-19 in February 2021, COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee (KPC-PEN) Chief Airlangga Hartarto stated.
"When it took effect, 25 out of the 128 districts and cities in Java and Bali were at a high risk (of COVID-19 transmission). Until its enforcement on February 28, the number of red zones declined to 10," Hartarto noted at a national coordination meeting on disaster mitigation 2021 in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Hartarto, simultaneously coordinating economic affairs minister, pointed out that the number of districts and cities, with moderate risk for COVID-19 transmission, fell to 86, from 97, and the number of districts and cities, with a low risk of COVID-19 transmission, increased to 32, from six earlier.
"This proves that micro-scale public activity restriction has been successful," he remarked.
Hence, the government has increased the scope of implementation of micro-scale PPKM to not merely the provinces in Java and Bali but also to the provinces of East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, and North Sumatra.
"It has now been expanded to the three provinces of East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, and North Sumatra. However, if other provinces intend to impose micro-scale PPKM, please do it because it has proven successful in lowering the risk (of COVID-19 transmission)," he affirmed.
The declining risk of COVID-19 transmission in several districts and cities will facilitate the process of national economic recovery, Hartarto noted.
Furthermore, the government will strive to expedite the national vaccination program under the endeavors to achieve herd immunity, the KPC-PEN chief stated.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over, so the vaccination programs, either government-borne or self-financed vaccination, should be accelerated," he remarked.
Hartarto noted that the Health Ministry had issued a regulation on self-financing vaccination.
"The health minister's regulation has been issued. According to the rules, the brand of the self-financed vaccine is different from that of the national vaccine. Hence, the two vaccination programs are separate," he explained.
The government had earlier imposed PPKM on January 11-25 and then extended the period until February 8 in the regions of Java and Bali. It then enforced the micro-scale PPKM on February 9-22 and from February 23 to March 8.
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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
