Govt Can’t Overcome Covid Alone, Jokowi Says

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Collaborative effort is needed in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia – the country of some 270 million people – as the government can’t address the challenges posed by the virus alone.

“Currently, the Indonesians and other nations around the world remain to struggle to contain the spread of the Covid-19,” Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo said in a broadcast message on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Monday, July 26.

“The government cannot solve the problems alone. All parties must have each other’s backs to face this difficult trial,” said the president who is popularly known as Jokowi.

Also read: Indonesia Plans for Phasing Out Emergency Covid Measures on July 26

He expressed appreciation to religious organizations who also play their roles in encouraging the people to follow the Covid-19 health protocols. He urged the Muslims to convince their families to reduce mobility by doing the daily activities from home in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19.

"From our homes, let's bow our heads, take a moment of silence, pray and do our part to end the pandemic soon. May God protects our nation," he added.

Earlier, Jokowi announced that the implementation of Covid-19 level 4 restriction on public activities in Java and Bali, or locally known as PPKM level 4, has been extended to August 2 in a bid to tackle the rapid spread of the coronavirus driven by the Delta variant. The government now applies alert levels 1-4 instead of using the term emergency Covid-19 measures following the World Health Organization’s guidelines.

Covid-19 restriction is extended 

"Based on the health, economic and social aspects, I have decided to continue the implementation of PPKM Level 4 from July 26 to August 2, 2021," Jokowi said via the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel on Sunday, July 25.

The restrictions will affect some sectors ranging from offices, education, shopping centers, eateries, transportation modes, tourism, arts, and culture, to social activities.

He claimed that the previous emergency measures had succeeded in improving the pandemic conditions in Indonesia. “Currently, the trend in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic has been improving.”

Also read: Jakarta Tightens PPKM, Extends the Policy in the Capital

The number of new confirmed cases, bed occupancy rate, and positivity rate is starting to decline in several provinces in Java, he added.

However, he called on the public to remain vigilant to the spread of coronavirus, especially the more virulent Delta variant.

The PPKM level 4 has been extended three times since July 3. This measurement is applied in a region where over 150 confirmed cases are found, over 30 Covid patients are hospitalized, and more than five deaths per 100,000 people per week are reported.

As of today, Indonesia recorded 28.228 new cases, bringing the total to 3,194,733 since the first two cases were announced in March last year. The total number of recoveries reached more than 2.5 million with total deaths at 84,766, which has recorded one of the highest numbers of deaths in the world.

(Writers: Fitria Chusna Farisa, Dian Erika Nugraheny | Editors: Bayu Galih, Krisiandi)

Sources: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/07/26/11555881/jokowi-pemerintah-tak-bisa-kerja-sendiri-atasi-pandemi.

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/07/25/19045891/breaking-news-jokowi-umumkan-perpanjangan-ppkm-hingga-2-agustus?page=all.