There are no more restrictions on crowds and people's movements. However, I ask all members of society to remain vigilant.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked people to continue wearing masks in crowded and closed spaces even though the government has officially revoked community activity restrictions (PPKM).

"The use of masks in crowds and closed spaces must continue," he emphasized at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday.

Earlier, he announced that the government has officially decided to withdraw the PPKM, as stipulated in the Instructions of the Minister of Home Affairs Numbers 50 and 51 of 2022. The revocation took effect on December 30, 2022.

"There are no more restrictions on crowds and people's movements. However, I ask all members of society to remain vigilant," President Jokowi said.

The community has also been asked to continue to increase awareness and remain vigilant against the risks of COVID-19.

"Awareness of vaccination must continue to be encouraged because this will help to increase immunity. The community must be more independent in preventing the transmission, detecting the symptoms, and seeking treatment," he said.

According to the head of state, Indonesia has managed to control the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain economic stability at the same time.

"A gas and brake policy that balances handling health and the economy is the key to our success," he said.

He informed that in the past few months, the pandemic situation in Indonesia has remained under control. As of December 27, 2022, the number of daily cases reached 1.7 per one million population, the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 3.35 percent, bed occupancy ratio (BOR) at 4.79 percent, and death rate at 2.39 percent.

"All of these are below the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO)," he noted.

Meanwhile, all districts/cities in Indonesia were at PPKM Level 1 status, with restrictions on crowds and people's movements kept at a low level.

"However, government officials and institutions must remain alert. Health facilities in all areas must be ready to stand by with adequate health facilities and personnel to ensure that the vaccination in the field continues, especially the booster vaccination," he said.

President Jokowi also asked that during the transitional period, the central and regional COVID-19 task forces be maintained to respond to the virus' rapid transmission.

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Translator: Desca Lidya N, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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