Events with mass gatherings have to be limited to 50 people, sports events cannot have spectators, and the operation of shopping centers, restaurants, and cinemas is also limited to only 75 percent of the total capacity
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The cancellation of Level 3 community activity restrictions (PPKM) in all regions during the Christmas and New Year holidays is in keeping with the President's 'gas and brake' policy and the latest COVID-19 situation.



Chief of the Presidential Staff, General (retd.) Moeldoko made the remarks in a written statement issued on Tuesday.



“The gas and brake policy should be adjusted to the recent condition of COVID-19 in Indonesia," he said.



On December 6, 2021, the Indonesian government decided not to apply PPKM level 3 during the Christmas and New Year holidays in all regions and tighten measures instead.



The decision was also based on first dose vaccination coverage reaching 76 percent and second dose vaccinations 56 percent in Java-Bali, Moeldoko said.


Related news: Continue applying COVID-19 variant control measures against Omicron


Meanwhile, vaccinations among the elderly reached 64 percent for the first dose and 42 percent for the complete dose in the Java-Bali region, he noted.



During the year-end holidays, the government will still limit community activities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, he said.



"Events with mass gatherings have to be limited to 50 people, sports events cannot have spectators, and the operation of shopping centers, restaurants, and cinemas is also limited to only 75 percent of the total capacity," Moeldoko informed.

Related news: PPKM to be extended outside Java-Bali from December 7-23



In addition, long-distance travelers are now required to show a negative result for PCR or rapid antigen tests, he added.



Earlier, the deputy of COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee (KPC-PEN), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, had said that detailed changes to the provisions of the PPKM for Christmas and New Year will be communicated in the revised Instructions of the Minister of Home Affairs and other circulars.



The President has also given directions to accelerate the implementation of children's vaccinations, Pandjaitan explained.



"This step was taken to provide protection for children, including considering the spread of the Omicron variant in South Africa, which mostly affected children," he noted.



Related news: G20 must spur global economic recovery: Minister Marsudi

Related news: Soekarno-Hatta Airport welcomes aircraft carrying G20 delegates

Translator: Indra A P, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021