VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The planned reopening of nine economic sectors in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic must be undertaken in a gradual manner, said Berly Martawardaya, research director, Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef).

"We are in the process of healing. Analogically speaking, if you have stomach acid pain, you would not immediately eat something that is too spicy and too acidic," he said at a press conference held by the Task Force for the Acceleration of COVID-19 Handling, which was broadcast via YouTube in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Martawardaya, who is also a lecturer of economics and business at the University of Indonesia, said the government has carried out well-executed reviews by establishing three criteria for the nine economic sectors, including for indoors and crowded areas, and for close interactions.

Among the nine sectors, which are scheduled to reopen, some fulfill all three criteria, including plantation, farming, and agriculture, all of which are rather safe, he continued.

Meanwhile, there are several sectors that involve indoor as well as outdoor activities, he pointed out.

"Protocols for each sector must be delineated. In fact, it may be necessary to make additional protocols," he noted.

Therefore, he suggested, the reopening of all nine sectors must not be undertaken in a rushed manner.

Otherwise, he cautioned, the move could lead to deepening of the economic slump instead of helping improve the economy.

"If (the opening is) done in a hurry, it could lead to new COVID-19 transmission clusters and even cause the economy to fall back (into a decline),” he said.

The government used data-based public health indicators while considering the reopening of the nine economic sectors, chief of the COVID-19 task force, Doni Monardo, had earlier said.

"The nine sectors are considered to have a low risk of COVID-19 threat, but can create extensive employment and have a significant economic impact," he said in a statement released on June 5, 2020.

The nine sectors that are set to be reopened include mining, oil, industry, construction, plantations, agriculture and farming, fisheries, logistics, and goods transportation. (ANTARA)