Apindo: No Matter How Many Times The Government Has Implemented Restrictions, It Will Not Be Able To Suppress Positive Cases Of COVID-19

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) highlighted the government's decision regarding the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) on the islands of Java and Bali. What the government should have done is to exercise strict supervision of changes in the behavior of the people in their environment, not by limiting the economic sector.

Chairperson of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) Hariyadi Sukamdani assessed that no matter how many times the government sets restrictions on activities it will not succeed in reducing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because, according to him, the spread occurred due to the lack of public discipline towards health protocols.

Furthermore, Hariyadi said, the increase in the number of active cases of COVID-19 was a consequence because the COVID-19 Task Force did not handle the implementation of health protocols in the community optimally, especially in providing sanctions for those who violate them. Meanwhile, with the business sector, the Task Force is quite firm.

In fact, said Hariyadi, employers actually always apply strict health protocols in the workplace. When an employee is infected, the office is immediately closed and tracing is carried out, it is found that the employee is infected from his home environment.

"What is being pursued is only in the business sector, you know, now this is what I think is not right. In fact, those in this community who are left untouched, let's look at the data together, surely the BNPB (National Disaster Management Agency) Task Force knows exactly the data. , "he said, in a virtual discussion, Friday, January 8.

As is known, the Government has again restricted community activities by referring to the PPKM regulations to suppress the transmission of COVID-19 in all provinces in Java and Bali. This new policy will take effect from January 11 to January 25, 2021.

This decision is in accordance with Government Regulation (PP) Number 21 of 2020 concerning Large-Scale Social Restrictions in the Context of Accelerating Handling of COVID-19.

Chairman of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN) Airlangga Hartarto said limited restrictions were placed on the islands of Java and Bali because all of these provinces met one of the four established parameters.

The parameters include, among others, the death rate is above the national average of 3 percent. Then the cure rate is below the national level of 82 percent. Furthermore, active cases under the national active case were 14 percent, and hospital filling for isolation and ICU beds was above 70 percent.

In taking this policy, Airlangga said that the government looked at data on developments in handling COVID-19, such as the risk zone for virus transmission, the ratio of the occupancy of isolation beds and the ICU. In addition, the government also sees active cases of COVID-19, which currently has reached 14.2 percent.

The restrictions that have been tightened include:

1. Limiting Work From Office (WFO). WFO only becomes 25 percent and Work From Home (WFH) becomes 75 percent.

2. Teaching and learning activities will still be online.

3. The essential sector specifically for basic needs will still operate 100 percent but with health protocols.

4. There are restrictions on opening hours of shopping centers, aka malls, until 19.00 WIB. For restaurants, 25 percent and food orders must take away and delivery can remain open.

5. Construction is still running 100 percent with strict health protocols and places of worship limited to 50 percent. Public facilities have been temporarily closed and modes of transportation are further regulated.