PPKM Extended, Puan Maharani: Don't Be Careless See The Number Of COVID-19 Cases Slopes

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo, Monday, August 2, announced the night of the extension of the Emergency PPKM until August 9, 2021. The restrictions apply to 114 regencies and cities spread across 7 provinces.

However, as of Monday, August 2, there were still 22,204 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, there were 1,568 patients who died in the same time span.

Responding to this, the Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, appealed to the public to remain vigilant so that efforts to prevent COVID-19 did not recede, even though the number of cases reported by the government had begun to decline. According to him, the extension of the PPKM should be an opportunity to truly measure the effectiveness of efforts to deal with the pandemic.

"During this PPKM extension period, the government must ensure that testing, tracing, isolation and vaccination are intensified, while we all remain vigilant, by always being disciplined in carrying out health protocols," said Puan in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 3.

Puan assessed that vigilance, prevention, and health care discipline are a package that cannot be separated so that Indonesia can immediately get out of the pandemic situation. Therefore, don't be complacent with the declining number of cases.

"Don't be careless because you see the case numbers are starting to sag," said Puan. In addition, the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also urged the government to accelerate the completion of the vaccination program by procuring sufficient stock. Moreover, there is currently no drug that can treat COVID-19.

“What we can do is prevent transmission, reduce the severity of exposure, and prevent death. Vaccines are our best protection for now. The state must be present by making sure this is immediately carried out according to the target," he said again.

The chairman of the PDIP DPP also asked the government to continue to maintain and improve the quality of health services and facilities throughout Indonesia. He reminded that the government's focus is not only on the islands of Java and Bali.

"Don't let the spike in cases that have occurred in Java and Bali occur outside Java and Bali, where health facilities and services are more limited," said Puan.