VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah while receiving a virtual audience from the leadership of the Jakarta Japan Club in Jakarta on Wednesday (June 6, 2021). ANTARA/HO-Manpower Ministry - 

Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah called on company's management and workers to conform to the government's policy on emergency public activities restriction (PPKM) in effect in Java and Bali on July 3-20, 2021.

"The government's policy to implement emergency PPKM is the best effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. All parties must comply with it for our common safety, and this effort is our shared responsibility," Minister Fauziyah noted in an official statement here on Saturday.

The minister stressed that compliance by all parties in following health protocols, as stipulated in the emergency PPKM, is part of the efforts to protect business continuity whilst ensuring safety and safeguarding the health of employees at the workplace.

The health and safety of workers is a top priority that can be ensured by implementing strict health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the workplace.

By following the rules set out in the emergency PPKM policy and stringently implementing health protocols, Fauziyah is optimistic that the spread of COVID-19 at the workplace would be stopped.

If conditions return to normal, the minister is upbeat about a gradual recovery in work productivity and business continuity as well as economic improvement.

Furthermore, Fauziyah ensured that the ministry had instructed labor inspectors at the central and regional levels to assist the COVID-19 Task Force in guarding the implementation of emergency PPKM in their respective regions.

Minister Fauziyah also called on employers, trade and labor unions, as well as all workers to step up social dialog and work together for survival amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We must admit that conditions during this pandemic are very difficult for everyone. However, we must endure it. Hence, the government, employers, and workers should work together more closely, so that we can face this pandemic well," the minister stated//ANT

Indonesian Minister of National Development Planning (PPN)/Head of National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Suharso Monoarfa while receiving a bilateral visit at the Indonesian Embassy in Paris, France. ANTARA/HO-National Development Planning -

Indonesian National Development Planning Minister Suharso Monoarfa pressed for deepening cooperation between Indonesia and France to create a low-carbon environment, green and blue economy, as well as cooperation in financing the development of government projects.

Monoarfa, concurrently the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) head, made the statement while receiving senior officials from The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and senior officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (French Treasury) at the Indonesian Embassy in Paris, France.

"The Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas has prepared an economic transformation strategy. The AFD collaboration with the ministry is an effort to implement Indonesia's economic transformation strategy, particularly to create a green economy," Minister Monoarfa noted in his official statement here on Saturday.

During the meeting, the minister affirmed that both parties had concurred on intensifying cooperation in realizing a low-carbon environment or green economy, with the focus on energy transition, waste management, and green industry, including green tourism. Waste-to-energy projects are some potential projects that can be developed. Meanwhile, the AFD will also fully support Indonesia's steps in implementing the pilot project that plans to transform Bali into a blue island.

"The Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas will facilitate potential projects that can be financed with AFD loans, such as the eco-fishing port and mass transit program, particularly in Bandung and Medan," the minister noted.

On the occasion, the AFD stated that through closer cooperation with Indonesia, coupled with other cooperation projects and in order to boost operational flexibility, operations of the AFD representative office in Indonesia in future will operate as a separate institution from the French Embassy in the country.

Meanwhile, the French Treasury also stated that in recent years, the French Treasury loans were distributed to finance the construction of television transmitters and the Meteorological System in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian government is also still considering funds from the French government for several government projects on account of the cooperation between both nations in financing development through the French Treasury financing facility that has existed since long.

"Several Indonesian government projects that can be potentially financed by the French Treasury are the National Data Center and the digitalization of broadcasting system. The National Data Center project will be implemented in the near future," Minister Monoarfa stated.

The minister pushed for more competitive financing from the French government for its Indonesian counterpart’s projects as compared to other sources of financing. He is also sanguine that the French government would help with technical readiness and capacity building for recipients.

In the meantime, the French government has positively welcomed the cooperation plan, especially pertaining to the use of French Information and Communication Technology, such as satellites and radar. The French government also offers technical assistance in the preparation of the project using technology from the country.

Regarding the financing scheme, the French Treasury will negotiate with the banking syndicate, so that the financing can be implemented more competitively//ANT

All malls in Jakarta are temporarily closed during Emergency PPKM in Jakarta, Saturday (July 3, 2021). ANTARA/Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna - 

Several malls in Jakarta were temporarily shut down for trading during the implementation of emergency community activity restrictions (emergency PPKM) to stem the transmission of COVID-19.

"Malls must close, and only essential ones, such as modern supermarkets and pharmacies, should be open," Grand Indonesia Corporate Communications Annisa Hazarini stated in Jakarta, Saturday.

Hazarini noted that only two supermarkets selling basic necessities are open with strict adherence to health protocols.

Furthermore, only few food and beverage outlets in the mall are open, though only accepting delivery services and not offering dine-in services.

Another mall, FX Sudirman, was also temporarily closed following government instructions.

The gate of the mall, located near the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) stadium, was closed to prevent an influx of visitors.

A similar sight was observed at Plaza Senayan that bore a desolate look amid the absence of visitors.

Only observed were security officers conducting surveillance and a few pedestrians crossing the sidewalk in front of the shopping center.

Another mall, Senayan City, also appeared deserted, as the emergency PPKM was implemented.

Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian had earlier officially issued the Instruction of Minister of Home Affairs Number 15 of 2021 on the implementation of Restrictions on Community Activities or the Emergency PPKM in Java and Bali.

Several community activities, particularly those related to mall and shopping center operations, are regulated in the latest instructions, among others, restaurants, including those inside malls, which can only serve food delivery and do not accept meals on the spot.

Shopping centers, malls, and trade centers are temporarily closed except for access to restaurants, shops, and modern supermarkets.

Supermarkets, traditional markets, grocery stores, and supermarkets selling daily necessities are limited to operating hours until 20:00 local time//ANT

FILE PHOTO: A pedestrian wearing a protective face mask walks past light rail platforms devoid of waiting passengers in the city centre at morning commute hour during a lockdown to curb the spread of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Sydney, Australia, June 30, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott - 

Australia's New South Wales state recorded its biggest daily rise in COVID-19 infections this year, even as residents in several major cities across the country were released from snap lockdowns on Saturday (Jul 3).

Sydney, the New South Wales state capital and home to a fifth of Australia's 25 million population, has been hit hardest in a flurry of outbreaks of the highly contagious Delta variant around the country over the past two weeks.

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian reported 35 new cases, 29 of which were linked to previous cases. That eclipsed the 31 cases reported a day earlier, taking total infections under the current outbreak to more than 250.

"While the number of cases are going up, we are seeing a greater proportion of those in isolation which is what we want to see," Berejiklian told a press conference.

"We haven't seen a huge surge in cases ... (but) we know the next few days are critical."

Sydney is halfway through a two-week lockdown. Berejiklian said it was still too early to make a decision on whether to extend the lockdown.

"Health experts are giving myself and my colleagues advice on a daily basis," she said. "I anticipate that obviously some time next week we'll be in a position to tell the community where things are at."

Elsewhere in the country, residents enjoyed a taste of freedom as the weekend got underway after lockdowns in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and some areas of Queensland state were lifted on Friday night.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed that a lockdown in Brisbane would be lifted later on Saturday as she reported five new COVID-19 cases in the state.

Lockdowns, swift contact tracing and tough social distancing rules have helped Australia to suppress prior outbreaks, but the fast-moving Delta strain has alarmed authorities amid a sluggish nationwide vaccination drive//CNA