Task Force: 17 Regions Holding Election Are at High Covid-19 Risk

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chairperson of the Covid-19 mitigation task force, Doni Monardo, said 17 out of 270 regions holding the regional head election or Pilkada 2020 are at high risk of virus transmission.

Of the total regions, 215 are in moderate risk, 67 are in a low risk, six regions have not reported new cases yet, and four regions are not affected.

“There are still six districts or cities with no new cases even though they are currently holding regional elections,” Doni said at a hearing with Commission II of the House of Representatives, Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

Doni mentioned that many parties objected to the 2020 simultaneous election being held. However, the government, DPR, and the election organizers were determined to prove their confidence in containing the pandemic.

Regions classified as a high-risk zone of the coronavirus disease include Gunungsitoli City (North Sumatra); Payakumbuh City (West Sumatra); Tanjungpinang City (Riau Islands); Bandar Lampung City and Pesawaran District (Lampung); Cilegon City (Banten); and Bandung Regency, Karawang Regency, and Tasikmalaya Regency (West Java).

Boyolali Regency, Kendal Regency, Pemalang Regency, Sragen Regency, Sukoharjo Regency (Central Java); East Barito Regency (Central Kalimantan); and Kutai Kartanegara Regency and East Kutai Regency (East Kalimantan) are also high risk regions.

Doni further mentioned that several regions potentially become a high-risk Covid-19 zone, namely Lampung, Banten, West Java, and Central Java. “[The virus spread in] East Java can be controlled,” he added.

Also Read: KPU Chairman: There Will Be Bigger Risks if Elections are Delayed

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