TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy admitted that the COVID-19 curve in Indonesia had kept on rising, but added the figure was still normal.

“Based on the task force’s assessment, the rate is still under control. The handling is still under control,” said Muhadjir after meeting with President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace, Central Jakarta, Monday, June 22.

Muhadjir recalled that during the session Jokowi asked for an account on the latest condition and of several regions after the relaxed Large-Scale Social Restriction (PSBB), including the ensuing consequences.

He reiterated that the economic and the health sectors must be balanced. He added the economic recovery must be implemented immediately by easing the restrictions, yet the government must also strive to contain the pandemic.

“[We cannot] choose both. In the field, in certain moments, we must choose one,” said Muhadjir.

He asserted that the situation was still under control based on the two-week monitoring after the restrictions were relaxed. However, the Health Ministry reported a significant surge in COVID-19 cases in the past few weeks. It even recorded the highest daily rise up to a thousand new cases.

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EGI ADYATAMA