Indonesia is still in a pandemic situation. People are bored (with the restrictions), but the infection is still ongoing. Therefore, we are still in a pandemic situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not revoked it (pandemic status) eitherJakarta (ANTARA) - Preparations for a phased pandemic-to-endemic transition will begin in Indonesia from early 2023 based on the controlled case situation until the end of 2022, the National COVID-19 Handling Task Force said.
"If September's cases are controlled until the end of the year, then according to the initial plan, we will prepare for the endemic in stages in early 2023," head of the Health Support Sub-Division of the Emergency Division of the COVID-19 Task Force, Alexander K. Ginting, said at the “Talkshow: Measuring Health Protocol Relevance,” on Thursday.
So far, there has been a significant decline in the number of daily COVID-19 cases, he noted.
Based on the report of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, as of September 7, 2022, the number of active cases reached around 38 thousand, or an average of around 3 thousand people per day.
The number of active cases fell significantly from 52,078 in the past two weeks.
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"Indonesia is still in a pandemic situation. People are bored (with the restrictions), but the infection is still ongoing. Therefore, we are still in a pandemic situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not revoked it (pandemic status) either," Ginting added.
He also reminded the public to be aware of coughs and colds that are currently occurring in the community.
"Many people with coughs and colds are choosing to conduct self-isolation at their respective homes. The government reminds the people to be vigilant, given the fluctuating cases," Ginting said.
He informed that the government still needs to meet the COVID-19 vaccination target. In addition, public compliance with the health protocols on wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands (3M) also needs to be improved.
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The government has decided to extend the community activity restriction (PPKM) policy through the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs (Inmendagri) Number 42 of 2022 for Java-Bali region and Inmendagri Number 43 of 2022 for areas outside Java-Bali.
The two Inmendagri will be valid from September 6 to October 3, 2022. They are not substantially different from the previous regulation.
In addition, based on inputs from experts, PPKM Level 1 status has been imposed on all regions in Indonesia, although the positivity rate is still above the WHO standard of 5 percent of the total population.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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