"We all have to stand united in facing this (COVID-19 pandemic) because we cannot go on like this for too long," the minister stated at a working meeting with the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Thursday.
Pandjaitan admitted to being highly concerned, as Indonesia's count of daily COVID-19 cases had reached 500 in the last three consecutive days, and the positivity rate had touched one percent, from 0.5-0.8 percent earlier.
Despite Indonesia's positivity rate already being below the WHO standard of five percent, the minister still expressed concerns over its increase in the last three days.
The minister also called on the public to not engage in the blame game over the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and to not consider that Indonesia is the best in handling COVID-19.
Pandjaitan confirmed to having spoken to President Joko Widodo to monitor the development of COVID-19 transmission in June and July before changing the country's pandemic status to endemic.
Thus, if the COVID-19 pandemic is successfully brought under control throughout June and July, then Indonesia can announce the change in COVID-19 status during the country's independence anniversary on August 17.
Nevertheless, he highlighted that all must stay disciplined, especially in terms of participating in vaccinations.
The first case of COVID-19 in Indonesia was confirmed in March 2020. According to data from the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of June 9, 2022, the nation has recorded a total of 6,057,142 COVID-19 cases, 5,897,022 recoveries, and 156,622 deaths.
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Translator: Sanya Dinda, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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