Hence, regional governments must evaluate their activities restriction enforcement (PPKM), as the PPKM implementation for a full week has not yet been effective in suppressing COVID-19 casesJakarta (ANTARA) - Regional governments must continue their efforts for suppressing COVID-19 cases, particularly in Java and Bali islands that have logged the highest number of national cases, a government spokesperson has said.
"Regional governments must exert their effort for suppressing COVID-19 infections, particularly the governments of provinces in Java and Bali regions that have contributed the greatest percentage to national COVID-19 active cases. Jakarta province alone has contributed 28 percent of the national cases," spokesperson for COVID-19 handling, Wiku Adisasmito, said at a virtual press conference here on Tuesday.
Jakarta has even surpassed its own record during the Delta peak last year when the province had contributed 24 percent of the total cases, he noted.
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Currently, West Java and Banten have also recorded higher weekly active cases compared with the second pandemic wave last year, the spokesperson added.
"Hence, regional governments must evaluate their activities restriction enforcement (PPKM), as the PPKM implementation for a full week has not yet been effective in suppressing COVID-19 cases," Adisasmito remarked.
He urged regional governments to evaluate PPKM enforcement by ensuring its conformity to the latest Home Affairs Ministry regulations.
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He also asked local authorities to reactivate and enhance COVID-19 task forces at the community level to help reduce active cases and control infection spread.
According to the National COVID-19 Task Force, less than one million local task forces are currently active compared with four million during the peak of the second COVID-19 wave last year, he highlighted.
"We must remember that local COVID-19 task forces are the frontline of PPKM enforcement and pandemic control at the local level," Adisasmito remarked.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna V, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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