We hope the residents can be helped through this program and jointly lessen activities outside the home since they have been given assistance from the government
Mentok, Babel (ANTARA) - A total of 12,423 beneficiary families (KPM) in West Bangka district, Bangka Belitung Islands will soon receive social aid following the enforcement of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM), governor of the province, Erzaldi Rosman, has said.



"We hope that this assistance can motivate the people to comply with the health protocols to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission," he remarked during a ceremonial event for social aid distribution that was held in Tempilang sub-district, West Bangka on Thursday.



Level 4 public activity restrictions (PPKM) have been enforced in West Bangka from July 26 to August 2, 2021 to limit people's activities outside their homes, Rosman said.



The government will provide social aid in the form of rice assistance from PT Bulog and Cash Social Transfers (BST) to people residing in regions implementing PPKM level 4, he informed. The assistance will be distributed through PT Pos Indonesia, he added.


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"We want to ensure that the social aid is distributed to the right targets and brings benefits to them," the governor said.



In addition, he urged residents to get vaccinated to help build herd immunity against the coronavirus and to allow easing of activities in the future, saying a vaccination card will be needed for traveling, among other things.



West Bangka deputy district head Bong Ming Ming, who also attended Thursday's event, said that social assistance is one form of the government's efforts to keep people from doing activities outside the home.


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"We hope the residents can be helped through this program and jointly lessen activities outside the home since they have been given assistance from the government," he remarked.



In addition, the government will continue to intensify tracking efforts to check COVID-19 transmission, he said.



"We have coordinated with all elements of Forkopimda (Regional Head Coordination Forum) to support this effort," he added.


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Translator: Donatus D P, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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