PPKM Stopped, Yogyakarta Continue to Monitor Public Mobilization

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following the recent revocation of the Public Activity Restriction (PPKM) policy by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, the regional government of the Yogyakarta Special Region underlined that they will not cease to monitor and supervise public activities to prevent a sudden surge of Covid-19 cases after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Acting Head of the Yogyakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Biwara Yuswantana, said that although PPKM has been stopped, the Covid-19 special task force in Yogyakarta is yet to be disbanded. "So, the Task Force continues to carry out its duties to monitor and supervise public mobility, especially for new cases following the Christmas and New Year holidays," Biwara said after an online coordination meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs concerning follow-up actions after the revocation of the PPKM on Monday, January 2, 2023.

Biwara admitted that the public immunity level is high, and the vaccination rate in Yogyakarta is also high.

Biwara said that with the revocation of the PPKM, the public's role in controlling case numbers will become larger. "Health conditions and awareness of Covid-19 will be on each and every one of us, especially concerning the implementation of health protocols," Biwara said.

"We suggest, if you are not healthy, stay at home, wear your mask, what's important is hospitals and medicines are ready, the public needs to be aware of this condition, and what needs to be done," Biwara added.

Yogyakarta Regional Secretary Kadarmanta Baskara Aji said that the revocation of PPKM by the central government does not mean that all things related to Covid-19 are stopped. "Remember, the revocation of PPKM does not mean the pandemic status has been changed to endemic," Aji said.

Aji explained that to be declared as an endemic condition, Indonesia must wait for the World Health Organization (WHO)to conduct an evaluation on the global condition in Indonesia. 'The pandemic was declared by the WHO and until now, the WHO still declared that in Indonesia, Covid-19 is still considered a pandemic," Aji explained.

"PPKM only regulates specifically concerning restrictions in Indonesia, which is coming to an end," Aji explained.

However, Aji said that because the instruction on the revocation of PPKM has been declared by the central government, Yogyakarta will make sure to carry out follow up actions. "Including if in the regional level there has to be additional regulation, the instruction will be regulated by Yogyakarta governor," Aji said.

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