TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati argued that long holidays during the COVID-19 pandemic did not improve the country’s economic indicators, but rather increased the number of positive cases. So the government, she said, must be wary of the phenomenon and take further policies.

“[We] must be careful in reviewing it. Long holidays, people carrying out their activities, and high public mobility do not boost consumption and instead, add more cases,” said Sri in Jakarta, Monday, November 23, 2020.

She explained the total working days in the fourth quarter of 2020 were less than those in the same period last year. In October 2019, there were 23 working days, while this year’s October only had 19 working days.

However, long holidays do not mean a drop in electricity consumption in the business and manufacturing sectors. On the other hand, the economic activities in October 2020 weakened in line with the rising virus spreads.

The government then kept studying all aspects before making a decision on the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays. “Drafting a policy is not just by considering one side, but all such as health, economic, business activities, and other aspects,” Sri Mulyani said.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy earlier said he planned to hold a meeting about reduction in the year-end holidays and collective leave days as ordered by President Jokowi.

Read: Sri Mulyani Speaks About Overcoming COVID-19 Effects with APBN

ANTARA