Home Affairs Minister Asks Papua Governor Not To Use Lockdown Term: People Will Be Confused

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian asked Papua Governor Lukas Enembe not to use the term lockdown to limit people's mobility.

Tito said that the central government had applied the term for the implementation of restrictions on community activities (PPKM) starting from level 1 to 4 in each region. If using the term lockdown, Tito said people would be confused.

"We use the term PPKM Level 4, Level 3, not the term lockdown. If there is a lockdown, people will be confused. Not all people understand the meaning of lockdown", Tito said in a virtual press conference, Monday, July 26.

Tito explained, in the PPKM rules, starting from level 1 to 4, arrangements have been made regarding restrictions on various activities at each level.

According to Tito, there are a number of regions in Papua that also apply PPKM Level 3 and 4, in addition to Micro PPKM. This policy is the same as the PPKM rules on the islands of Java and Bali.

Level 4 PPKM areas include Jayapura City, Mimika Regency, and Merauke. Then, areas that apply PPKM Level 3 in Papua, for example, Jayapura Regency.

Therefore, Tito claimed to have asked the Governor of Papua Lukas Enembe to follow the direction of the central government and follow up with a communication forum for regional leaders in Papua.

"I have asked Mr. Hubernur to also hold a Regional leadership coordination forum (forkopimda) meeting today, following up on this (PPKM) which is valid until August 2. We will evaluate again later", said Tito.

With the implementation of PPKM Level 4, Level 3, and Micro PPKM, Tito hopes to reduce COVID-19 cases in Papua.

"We hope that there will be a decrease in cases in Papua, then the Bed Occupancy Rate (BOR) will also decrease, it will be looser. Thus, later if it is not, then we will enter level 4 again", said Tito.

"Later, for some areas in Papua earlier, for the City of Jayapura, Mimika, Merauke. But if the indicators are good, of course, we can lower the level later", he continued.

Previously, the Daily Executor (Plh) of the Papua Regional Secretary Doren Wakerkwa ensured that his area would implement a lockdown from August 1 to August 28, 2021 to suppress the spread of COVID-19.

The implementation of a 28-day lockdown in August 2021, not only closing the entrances to all seaports and airports, but also applies to malls, supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, and other public places.

"But (for its implementation in regencies and cities), of course, it will be returned to the regents and mayors. This means that it can be regulated, for example, malls, supermarkets can be opened within a specified time limit", said Doren, quoted from an official statement.