PPKM Revocation Demonstrates Successful COVID-19 Handling Strategy, Says KSP

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Revocation of the public activities restriction (PPKM) policy proves that President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi's) strategy to contain COVID-19 transmission while maintaining economic recovery has been successful, the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) stated.

In a statement received by Antara, Saturday, KSP Deputy II Abetnego Tarigan said that the gas-and-brake strategy in COVID-19 pandemic handling had reflected the public's will and hence their keenness to maintain health protocols and get their COVID-19 vaccines.

"Under President Jokowi's command, all parties have contributed according to their responsibilities, either the government or the public," Tarigan stated.

The president's strategy makes Indonesia as one of the success stories in balancing COVID-19 pandemic handling with economic recovery and stability, he noted.

"Our collective hard work has become a special present to welcome 2023, a momentum to moving forward to the endemic phase," the KSP deputy affirmed.

Meanwhile, Tarigan clarified that the PPKM policy revocation is not merely for economic and political interests, as the final decision was made following rigorous and comprehensive assessments of the pandemic conditions.

The success in controlling the pandemic in the last 10 months, proven by the number of daily cases of COVID-19, weekly positivity rate, bed occupancy rate, and fatality rate, which are all below the World Health Organization's threshold, are considered supporting factors to lift the PPKM policy.

Despite revocation of the PPKM policy, the government will ensure healthcare facilities and health officers remain on standby to help prevent COVID-19 infection and realize community immunity against the virus, he explained.

"The pandemic has not ended yet. Residents must not become complacent. They must continue wearing masks, and those who are yet to receive the vaccine, particularly the elderly, must get their vaccine promptly," Tarigan remarked.

On Friday (December 30), the president announced an end to the PPKM policy, which was enforced to control COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia. Consequently, public activities and mobility would no longer be restricted.

However, the president urged all people and the nation to remain careful and vigilant against COVID-19 infections.

ANTARA

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