"The revocation of public activity restrictions (PPKM) was issued on December 30, 2022, and we are entering the transition phase. In this situation, the COVID-19 task force remains on duty until the community becomes resilient," he stated here on Thursday.
Hartarto made the statement at the National Coordination Meeting on COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery (PC PEN).
According to the minister, COVID-19 vaccination, including the fourth dose or the second booster dose, will also continue to be provided for free.
"The early warning indicator and early warning system continue to be monitored and managed by the Ministry of Health. The pandemic risk management protocol can be reactivated again if a new problem emerges, with the recommendation of the Ministry of Health," he explained.
PPKM revocation has made the government return programs and their budgets to each ministry or agency, one of which is the Rp178.8-trillion health management program budget under the Ministry of Health, Food and Drug Control Agency (BPOM), and National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN).
President Joko Widodo, on December 30, 2022, announced an end to the PPKM policy that was enforced to control COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia.
The revocation of the PPKM policy translates to the fact that there will be no more restrictions on public activities and mobility, he remarked.
Despite the revocation of the policy, the president still appealed to the people to remain careful and vigilant.
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 January 25, 2023, the nation has recorded 6,728,676 COVID-19 cases, 6,563,060 recoveries, and 160,795 deaths.
Related news: Riots could plague Indonesia if lockdown implemented in past: Jokowi
Related news: Jokowi likens handling pandemic in Indonesia to "total football"
Related news: Indonesia optimistic about tourist numbers increasing in 2023
Translator: Sanya Dinda, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
