Good News! Luhut Says Economic Activities Will Be Gradually Opened In September

JAKARTA - The Coordinator of the Java-Bali Emergency PPKM, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said the government would open economic activities in September 2021. However, with a note if the COVID-19 pandemic conditions in the country improve.

Luhut said the opening of economic activities would depend on the success of vaccination, the 3M protocol (using masks, washing hands, maintaining distance), and 3T (tracing, testing, treatment).

"By controlling the pandemic, the opening of economic activity depends on vaccinations and 3M and 3T. This August it is important to increase vaccine coverage so that September can be phased out," he said in a virtual press conference, Monday, August 2.

However, Luhut did not speak specifically about when economic activity will reopen. He said this month the vaccination process would be boosted to reach areas throughout Indonesia with a coverage of 75 percent of the total population. Therefore, Luuht asked the Ministry of Health to ensure that the vaccine stock is sufficient to meet the needs.

"Regarding vaccination, we can get 60-70 million vaccines this month," he said.

Luhut said his party also listened to experts and epidemiologists for COVID-19 control. He said, pandemic control in the country relies on three pillars, namely the acceleration of vaccination, the implementation of health protocols and massive testing, and the provision of adequate health facilities.

In addition, Luhut ensured that the government would continue to increase the number of virus testing and tracking. If there are residents who are confirmed positive for COVID-19, the patient must be taken to a centralized isolation location so as not to cause clusters of virus spread within the family.

Then, said Luhut, in parallel the government will encourage citizen discipline to implement health protocols. The government, said Luhut, is targeting the COVID-19 reproduction rate to be reduced from the current 1.5 percent to 0.9 percent.