Jokowi Claims COVID-19 Cases And Hospital Occupancy Drops During Emergency PPKM

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) claims that the number of additional COVID-19 cases and bed occupancy has decreased after the Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) was implemented since last Saturday, July 3.

"Alhamdulillah, we are grateful that after the Emergency PPKM was carried out, it can be seen from the data on the addition of cases and the number of hospital beds that have decreased," Jokowi said in a video caption that was broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube, Tuesday, July 20.

The former Governor of DKI Jakarta admitted that the implementation of the Emergency PPKM policy for approximately two weeks is something that cannot be avoided and must be taken by the government even though it is difficult.

In addition, this policy was also taken to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in the community and reduce the need for hospitals.

"So as not to paralyze hospitals due to overcapacity of COVID-19 patients and so that health services for patients with other critical illnesses are not disrupted and their lives are threatened," said Jokowi.

Furthermore, Jokowi also said that the government would extend the implementation of Emergency PPKM. This extension is carried out until Monday, July 26.

If on that date the number of COVID-19 cases has decreased, the government is ready to make easing. One of them, allows food stalls, street vendors, hawker stalls, and similar business places that have open spaces to operate until 21.00.

Of course, they are allowed to open while still applying the rules that have been prepared by the local government and the maximum time to eat at the place for each visitor is only 30 minutes.

"Meanwhile, other activities in essential and critical sectors, both in government and private, as well as related to travel protocols, will be explained separately," he said.

As previously reported, the government has officially implemented emergency PPKM on the islands of Java and Bali from July 3 to July 20, 2021. In addition, this Emergency PPKM has also been implemented in 15 cities outside Java-Bali, namely Pontianak City, Singkawang City, Balikpapan City, City of Bontang, Berau, Batam City, and Tanjung Pinang City.

The implementation of Emergency PPKM also occurred in Bandar Lampung City, Mataram City, Sorong City, Manokwari, Bukittinggi City, Padang City, Padang Panjang City, and Medan City.