VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

New Zealand will lift coronavirus restrictions across the country on Sept. 21, except in its biggest city, Auckland, which is the epicenter of the second wave of infections, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.

Ardern said Auckland's restrictions would be reviewed next Monday. She also said the government would immediately ease all physical distancing requirements on planes, a boost for Air New Zealand, AIR.NZ has had to limit passengers on its planes for months.

“I know this change will make a real difference to Air New Zealand and those parts of the country seeking increased numbers of visitors,” Ardern said in a news conference in the South Island city of Dunedin, where she is on an election campaign trip.

Masks will still be mandatory on all public transport, she said.

New Zealand, a nation of five million, had appeared to have succeeded in halting community transmission of COVID-19, but a fresh outbreak in Auckland in August prompted the government to place the city back in lockdown.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who is facing a general election on Oct. 17, scaled back the restrictions this month, but the city is still under alert level 2.5, meaning social gatherings of more than 10 people are not allowed. (Reuters)

Ardern cabinet will review the current rules for Auckland at its meeting on Sept. 21, with a view to increase gathering limits if the situation stays stable.

That change, if it comes, will take effect on Sept. 23, she said.

New Zealand on Monday reported one new case of coronavirus in the community, taking the total number of cases to 1,447 and 24 deaths.

New Zealand will lift coronavirus restrictions across the country on Sept. 21, except in its biggest city, Auckland, which is the epicentre of a second wave of infections, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.

Ardern said Auckland's restrictions would be reviewed next Monday. She also said the government would immediately ease all physical distancing requirements on planes, a boost for Air New Zealand, AIR.NZ which has had to limit passengers on its planes for months.

“I know this change will make a real difference to Air New Zealand and those parts of the country seeking increased numbers of visitors,” Ardern said in a news conference in the South Island city of Dunedin, where she is on an election campaign trip.

Masks will still be mandatory on all public transport, she said.

New Zealand, a nation of five million, had appeared to have succeeded in halting community transmission of COVID-19, but a fresh outbreak in Auckland in August prompted the government to place the city back in lockdown.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who is facing a general election on Oct. 17, scaled back the restrictions this month, but the city is still under alert level 2.5, meaning social gatherings of more than 10 people are not allowed.

Ardern cabinet will review the current rules for Auckland at its meeting on Sept. 21, with a view to increase gathering limits if the situation stays stable.

That change, if it comes, will take effect on Sept. 23, she said.

New Zealand on Monday reported one new case of coronavirus in the community, taking the total number of cases to 1,447 and 24 deaths.

President Joko Widodo appealed to the 267 million Indonesians to always wear masks. The President emphasized that the use of masks can truly materialize as a national discipline during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The President organized, handled the Covid-19 pandemic through the Covid-19 Handling Committee, and measured National Economic Recovery in planning and implementation, especially in the capital city of Jakarta.

"The basic principle of handling this is the balance and integration of health safety and the people's economy," President Jokowi said on Tuesday.

"Balance, coordination, and integration are the keys to achieving optimal health and economy, with the harmonious collaboration of the central government, regional governments, and the participation of all citizens," he added.

The President said the participation and collaboration of all parties are manifested in the willingness to carry out health protocols.

"The majority of Indonesian individuals have moved with awareness to comply with health protocols, such as wearing masks when going out, maintaining physical distance, and washing hands with soap in running water," he explained.

With the growing public awareness, President Joko Widodo remains at the forefront and tirelessly reminds and invites all elements of the nation to collaborate in making life habit masks for adaptation during the pandemic as a form of national discipline.

"We are also grateful to God for the recovery of 158,405 Covid-19 patients [on Sep. 14, 2020]. Let's continue to wear masks together to protect ourselves, protect our beloved country, the Republic of Indonesia," he concluded. (RRI)

The government's Covid-19 vaccination program will have two options.

Minister of State-Owned Enterprise, Erick Thohir, explained that the first is the COVID-19 vaccine aid from the government.

"We want to ensure there are two types of vaccine needs for the Indonesian people. (First) government's aid vaccine," Erick said, on Tuesday.

Not only that, but the government also provides an independent vaccine program for people who are capable of buying the COVID-19 vaccine.

"And a standalone vaccine program where individuals who are considered capable should buy," he said.

However, he explained, the government will still guarantee the availability of vaccines. In addition, the government is encouraging financially capable people to buy the COVID-19 vaccine. 

"This is a priority in the next few months for vaccination," he said.

Furthermore, Erick, who is also the Executive Chair of the Covid-19 Control and National Economic Recovery Committee, added that Indonesia continues to strive to produce the COVID-19 vaccine independently.

However, the government also continues to promote cooperation with the international community for mass vaccine production.

"We continue to approach AstraZeneca, CanSino, Pfizer, we will continue to collaborate with CEPI [Coalition for Epidemic Preparations Inovation] and GAVI [Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization]," he said. (RRI)

The government is currently working to increase people's purchasing power amid the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in the face of the threat of an economic recession in the third quarter of 2020.

President Joko Widodo said that his side still has time for positive economic growth and Indonesia to avoid the recession.

He said in a virtual report on COVID-19 on Monday that finally, Indonesian national economic recovery still has time until the end of September to increase purchasing power and others.

He also emphasized that programs that had been prepared by the government for economic recovery could be implemented as quickly as possible to prevent economic growth in the third quarter from contracting again. He has asked to accelerate the cash incentive program.

In the second quarter, Indonesia's economic growth contracted to minus 5.32. If in the third quarter there has been no change and the economy is still in minus, Indonesia might experience a recession. (RRI)