VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Since the Indonesian government has implemented restrictions on community activities –PPKM to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the community has been waiting for something at the beginning of the week. That is the announcement of the PPKM period. On Monday (15/11), the Government announced that the PPKM for Java and Bali is extended for the next two weeks. This means that community activities in districts and cities are still limited.

Take for example, Jakarta whose status is at level 1. At this level, 75 percent of non-essential jobs work from the office if they have been vaccinated. Shops or markets for daily needs, traditional markets in addition to daily needs, shopping centers, such as malls and plazas can be opened with a capacity of 75 percent. The mall has been allowed to close at 9 pm. Restaurants in closed spaces are allowed to open with a capacity of 75 percent of visitors. Meanwhile, 50 percent of teaching and learning activities are online and 50 percent face-to-face.

For more than one year and a half of being limited by the Covid-19 pandemic, it is very natural for many people to hope to be able to carry out their daily activities without restrictions. Moreover, knowing the number of Covid-19 cases is also decreasing.

During a press conference in evaluating the implementation of restrictions on online community activities, Monday (15/11), Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto stated that the current Covid-19 reproduction number is below one. He also stated that the current Covid-19 case in Indonesia is 1 per 100,000 people. This is far below neighboring countries, such as Thailand with 89 cases and Singapore, which is still 454 per hundred thousand inhabitants. Minister Airlangga Hartarto also said that the overall decline compared to the peak of cases fell between 89% to 98%.

Although it has decreased significantly, fear of a spike in Covid-19 cases still remains. As quoted from the official website of presidentri.go.id, President Joko Widodo asked a number of regions to be closely monitored to avoid a spike in cases, especially before Christmas and New Year 2022. The president also directed strict supervision of schools that conduct face-to-face learning. So, if there are indications of cases, they can be handled immediately. 

Concerns also arise because people start slacking off wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and avoiding crowds. In addition, in some places, supervision and enforcement of discipline to comply with health protocols has also begun to loosen.

Of course, Indonesia hopes that it will not face the next wave of Covid-19 attacks. This hope must be shared by all Indonesian people. Expectations must be accompanied by strict adherence to health protocols. In line with the government's efforts to achieve the target, 78 percent of the population has received the first injection and 60 percent has fully got vaccinated by the end of the year. Although there may be people who are tired of complying with the health protocols, they should not be ignorant. Because apart from vaccination, compliance with the health protocols remains the key to preventing Covid-19.