Indonesia Scraps Covid-19 Restrictions But Mask Mandates Still Apply

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo decided to lift the Enforcement of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) today as the curve of Covid-19 transmission has flattened in Indonesia.

“Considering the current situation on the number of Covid-19 cases, the government has decided to lift the PPKM today,” said Jokowi at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday, Dec. 30.

Jokowi said the curve of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country has flattened following the decrease in daily cases. As of Dec. 27, the government recorded 1.7 cases per one million population.

He also said that the weekly positivity rate stood at 3.3 percent, while the bed occupancy rate and death rate showed 4.79 percent and 2.39 percent, respectively.

According to him, these figures are below the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, the government decided to scrap the PPKM.

“There are no more restrictions on crowds and people’s movement,” he said.
The revocation of PPKM will be mentioned in the Minister of Home Affairs Instruction No. 50/2022 and No. 51/2022.

Indonesia was among the countries worldwide that lifted restrictions that were first imposed in 2020 to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Also read: Covid-19: Indonesia May Lift Restrictions by End of 2022

Although the government has scrapped the Covid-19 restrictions, Jokowi called on the public to remain vigilant.

According to the President, the mask mandates are still in effect.

“The public must increase awareness and vigilance in dealing with the risks of Covid-19. Keep wearing masks [when in] public places, outdoor or indoor,” said Jokowi.

He further added that the Covid-19 vaccination remains to provide immunity. The people must also be more independent in preventing transmission, detecting symptoms, and seeking treatment for Covid-19.

Also read: Covid-19 Transmission Under Control in Early December: Indonesias Health Minister

He said government officials, institutions, health facilities and healthcare personnel must also remain alert to provide booster vaccinations.

“During this transition period, the national and regional Covid-19 task forces will be ready to respond to the rapid spread,” Jokowi said.

He added that the government would continue distributing social assistance and tax incentives.

(Writer: Ardito Ramadhan | Editors: Bagus Santosa, Dani Prabowo)

Sources: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2022/12/30/14381381/pemerintah-putuskan-cabut-ppkm-mulai-hari-ini.

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2022/12/30/15062891/ppkm-dicabut-masker-tetap-dipakai-di-kerumunan-dan-dalam-ruangan.