Jakarta (ANTARA) - The level 3 public activity restrictions (PPKM) were implemented in Jakarta for the common good, especially for the agglomeration areas of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jabodetabek), Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria stated.

"We cannot stand alone. We must pay attention to other regions as well. Hence, this policy is for the common good," Patria noted at the Jakarta City Hall here on Tuesday.

According to the deputy governor, the increase in the PPKM level of Jabodetabek was not due to the number of COVID-19 cases but as a result of low tracing.

Patria remarked that despite Jakarta's tracing being already high, the city is still closely linked to Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi.

Patria affirmed that despite the PPKM status being increased to level 3, public activities in the capital city were still allowed at reduced capacity and operating hours.

"This level increase, of course, resulted in a decrease in capacity and a decrease in operating hours, but it does not mean that activities are stopped," the deputy governor remarked.

The central government had earlier decided to increase the PPKM status imposed in Jabodetabek to level 3.

Related news: PPKM level in Jabodetabek rises to 3, with adjustments

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan explained that the increase in the level of PPKM was not due to the high number of COVID-19 cases but due to low tracing capacity in those regions.

"It is not the high number of cases but the low tracing," Pandjaitan remarked during a press conference for the evaluation of PPKM held online on Monday.

The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Indonesia in March 2020. According to data provided by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of February 7, 2022, at least 4,542,601 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the country, while 4,191,604 people had recovered, and 144,636 people had succumbed to the virus.

Related news: Implementing PPKM necessary to stem COVID-19: Epidemiologist

Translator: Dewa Ketut, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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