DKI Deputy Governor Admits PPKM Results Are Not As Expected

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria, admitted that the results of the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) which were implemented in the Provinces of Java and Bali did not meet expectations.

Because, after being implemented for three weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases in Jakarta has actually increased. As of February 1, there were 24,793 active cases of COVID-19, with an accumulation of 273,332 cases.

Meanwhile, the positive rate of the number of specimens subjected to PCR examination or the positivity rate was 17.4 percent.

"In the evaluation, PPKM has not produced good results as we hope. It is due to the long holiday at the end of the year," said Riza to reporters, Tuesday, February 2.

Apart from the impact of the year-end holidays, Riza considers that the high number of COVID-19 cases is also caused by people who are tired of staying at home. Thus, many travel outside and meet many people.

In addition, said Riza, this was also due to the high number of COVID-19 examinations in DKI. "The rate of spread is also high due to the high number of testing conducted by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, which is 111 thousand in a week. This means that it is 11 times higher than what the WHO requested," said Riza.

Even though PPKM did not have optimal results in making cases, Riza still considered the policy to be a good thing. This is because PPKM has uniformed the restriction regulations in a number of regions.

"This PPKM is good. Why? Because, with this PPKM, the central (government) uniform policies from all regions. Not only Jakarta or Jabodetabek, but also all Java and Bali," he said.