It (Emergency PPKM) will decrease (COVID-19) transmissions and the number of cases.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Nurse Union (PPNI) supports the government's policy to extend Community Activity Restriction (PPKM) in response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in several regions.

"It (Emergency PPKM) will decrease (COVID-19) transmissions and the number of cases," Head of PPNI Harif Fadhillah noted in a written statement received here at Friday.

Fadhillah remarked that the application of Emergency PPKM can curb transmissions and restrict mobility that is expected to reduce the load on nurses or other medical staff.

The PPNI head expounded that the organization was in favor of restricting people's mobility to tackle the pandemic from the start since COVID-19 can be transmitted through interaction between people.

"Public and religious figures as well as government officials should not set a bad example that violates the health protocols," he emphasized.

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Fadhillah believes that citizens hold the key to curbing virus transmission. As long as the people are aware, they can take care of themselves without relying on the authority.

The PPNI head noted that citizens were the key front liners in reducing virus transmission, especially against the Delta variant believed to spread swiftly and progressively.

Executive Director of Health Building Evaluation and Consultation Institution (LK2PK) Ardiansyah Bahar also backed the extension of the Emergency PPKM.

"However, an economic rescue plan should be put in place for the people, especially those working in the informal sector," he affirmed.

Bahar observed that the number of active COVID-19 cases had continued to rise even after a week of having implemented Emergency PPKM, with the case count currently surpassing 50 thousand per day.

"The problem is exacerbated by the extensive spread of hoaxes that denies the existence of COVID-19," he stated.

Apart from the government and private sectors, citizens are important components in ensuring the successful implementation of PPKM, according to Bahar.

His institution urged the government to act strictly but humanely in its efforts to observe the implementation of Emergency PPKM.

"Private sectors have to support each other to withstand the pandemic. However, of course, primarily, there needs to be an economic rescue plan from the government," he stated.

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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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