What is most important is seeing how the dynamics unfold on the field, and how COVID-19 is handled
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force's Behavior Change Sonny Harry B. Harmadi shed light on various indicators that became the factors to determine the extension of Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM).

Harmadi stated that field indicators for PPKM extension are the developments in cases of infection in each region, the handling response from health services, and socio-economic condition of citizens.

"What is most important is seeing how the dynamics unfold on the field, and how COVID-19 is handled," Harmadi told ANTARA during a telephonic interview here on Monday.

"Hence, we look at if the positivity rate has gone up or down, then we see the response from health services and observe whether the Bed Occupancy Ratio (BOR) has managed to be reduced. All of this is observed within a week," he asserted.

The development of these indicators is observed by his group through a weekly evaluation in order to determine if the PPKM in a certain region has to be extended and whether to designate a pandemic level specific to that region, he expounded.

"The weekly (evaluation) is conducted since the developments in COVID-19 handling are very dynamic," Harmadi elaborated.

Moreover, he believes it is relevant to determine the PPKM level, so that it could serve as a guideline for each region in determining the regulation on social activities.

According to Harmadi, if a certain region is looking to conduct more free and open social activities, then that region has to be able to lower its level.

"Thus, PPKM will still be implemented over a longer stretch of time. What is most important is that each region understands its own respective level," Harmadi emphasized.

The task force will also review the performance of each region, so that it can conduct its activities based on the assigned level, he noted.

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Translator: Hreeloita Shanti, Fadhli Ruhma
Editor: Sri Haryati
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