I ask the regional governments to provide their fullest support on PPKM implementation to assure reduction in COVID-19 infections and deaths
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Regional governments should fully support the central government's decision to extend the enforcement of community activity restrictions (PPKM) to further reduce COVID-19 infections, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo has said.

"I ask the regional governments to provide their fullest support on PPKM implementation to assure reduction in COVID-19 infections and deaths," Soesatyo of Golkar Party remarked here on Monday.

The central and regional governments should together ensure the availability of facilities and infrastructure used for COVID-19 handling in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, he said.

Soesatyo also asked the authorities to ensure the availability of isolation rooms, oxygen tubes, medicines, and healthcare assistance for COVID-19 patients who are currently in self-isolation to aid their recovery.

"I have also requested the government to increase the testing and tracing of COVID-19 infections according to our target so as to improve the positivity rate," he said.

The Speaker further asked the government to ensure timely and targeted disbursal of social assistance to those affected by the PPKM enforcement. He also demanded a comprehensive evaluation of the PPKM enforcement over the past three weeks.

Social assistance is necessary to prevent workers' layoffs and further difficulties for the poor, whether the recipients are recorded on Social Welfare Comprehensive Data (DTKS) or not, he stressed.

Soesatyo also called for public support on PPKM implementation and asked security forces to adopt a persuasive, educative, and non-violent approach towards enforcing the PPKM to help violators and citizens comprehend the regulations.

"The public and the security forces should engage in a symbiosis to tackle the COVID-19 infection together, and to prevent misunderstanding or conflict among both sides at this time," he remarked.

Related news: Indonesian MPR supports government to extend mobility restrictions
Related news: President Jokowi extends level 4 restrictions with adjustments
Related news: COVID-19: Tanah Abang visitors will need to carry vaccine cards

Translator: Imam B, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021