Indonesia Highlights: Jakarta’s PSBB Extended to January 2021 | Govt Shoots Down Claim of Sinovac Vaccine’s Ineffectiveness | Indonesian Ministers Awarded for Their Integrity

KOMPAS.com – As Indonesia enters deeper into its deadly battle with the Covid-19 virus, the Jakarta Provincial Government has extended its transitory PSBB until next year.

Indonesia’s capital city has re-extended its large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) until Jan. 3, 2021 as its Governor, Anies Baswedan anticipates a surge in fresh infections after the year-end holiday.

In keeping with news surrounding Covid-19 in Indonesia, the Spokesperson for Covid-19 Vaccination for the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration, Lucia Rizka Andalusia denied reports that China’s Sinovac coronavirus vaccine triggers the weakest immunity response.

Reports are circulating that the WHO has compared 10 of the world’s Covid-19 vaccines in which Sinovac ranked the weakest.

Nearing the final days of a difficult 2020, there are some Indonesian government ministers and public figures who have been awarded for their efforts in upholding integrity and dedication to change.

The “Agent of Change 2020” achievement from the Indonesian Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform awarded several ministers including the Indonesian Finance Minister, Sri Mulyani, and the Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Makarim.

More details on today’s Indonesia news are highlighted below:

1. Jakarta Re-Extends Transitory PSBB until January 2021

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan explained that the move to once again extend the city’s PSBB is to anticipate a potential surge in fresh Covid-19 cases following the year-end holiday.

“We are monitoring the movement of residents and controlling the situate to avoid any virus transmission from people outside of Jakarta entering the city or vice-versa.”

After a long year spent in lockdown and uncertainties, Jakarta residents and much of Indonesia are anxiously awaiting the Christmas and New Year’s holiday.

However, Anies reasserted the call for residents to refrain from any gatherings and to stay home during the holiday break.

“It is crucial for the families in Jakarta to not travel outside the home let alone travel outside of the city.”

Source: http://go.kompas.com/read/2020/12/21/201618774/jakarta-extends-partial-lockdown-until-january-2021 

2. Indonesian Govt Denies Reports of Sinovac’s Covid-19 Vaccine Ineffectiveness