TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan claimed that the COVID-19 situation in Indonesia continued to improve which is evident from the virus effective reproduction number that keeps declining.

“Beginning a few days ago, Indonesia's COVID-19 situation started improving. The virus effective reproductive number is better at below 1, even below 0.98,” said Luhut in the Climate Leaders Message program broadcasted through the YouTube channel of the ministry on Monday, October 18.

Luhut explained that in several regions, the virus effective reproduction rate even stands at 0.97. In Jakarta, the figure is lower at 0.95.

However, the Java-Bali public mobility restriction or PPKM Coordinator stated that Indonesia must remain vigilant about the surge in positive cases during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays. He recalled that the hike in virus spreads often occurred after long holidays and religious events.

“The president demanded strategies be immediately determined to prepare for Christmas and the new year,” said Luhut.

As a precautionary measure, Luhut explained, the government needed to accelerate vaccinations for the elderly in agglomeration areas and centers of economic growth and suppress the number of patients in hospitals.

President Jokowi, Luhut went on, also asked ministers to maintain the downward COVID-19 trend. “Keep the number of cases as low as possible to prevent [the situation] from getting out of control,” he added. Luhut also called on the public not to be too euphoric with the current improving situation.

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FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA