Emergency Measures Will Start July 3 amid Covid-19 Surge: Jokowi

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced that Indonesia will impose emergency restrictions on community activities or locally known as emergency PPKM from July 3-20 as Covid-19 cases surge.  

"We decided to impose emergency PPKM from July 3 to 20, mainly in Java and Bali," Jokowi said at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, July 1.

Emergency PPKM is expected to take place in 122 districts across Java and Bali after the Head of State attending meeting with various officials, including health experts and regional heads. 

"I call on all citizens to remain calm and vigilant, follow existing regulations, be disciplined in implementing health protocols, and support the work of government and volunteers in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic," the President said.

Also read: Indonesia to Start Vaccinating Children With the Covid-19 Vaccine 

Jokowi also appointed the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as the coordinator of the implementation of the policy.

In addition, Jokowi also stressed the importance of embracing more stringent and firm policies to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the emergence of new virus variants. 

"This situation requires stricter measures," Jokowi said.

The condition of the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia has deteriorated with over two million Covid-19 cases and the daily number of people who contract the virus continues to increase.

The number of new Covid-19 cases in 24-hour reached more than 20,000, the highest record number since the first two cases were detected in March 2020. 

Also read: Clinical Trials on Ivermectin for Treatment of Covid-19 Infection Approved

In addition to strengthening the implementation of the health protocol, the government also continues to administer one million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine a day. 

"Through various priority efforts, as one country, we are serious and must stay solid to curb the spread of Covid-19," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, who also heads the National Covid-19 Handling and Economic Recovery Committee (KPC-PEN) in his social media account on Thursday. 

Stricter Covid-19 Restrictions 

Emergency PPKM will take place for 18 days, aiming to decrease the daily number of new cases below 10,000.