Mayor Of Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan Confused Why The Central Government Still Implements PPKM Level 4

BANJARBARU - The Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN) has again determined that the PPKM status of Banjarbaru City, South Kalimantan will remain at level 4 to 4 October.

The Mayor of Banjarbaru, HM Aditya Mufti Ariffin, admitted that he was confused by the still stipulation of Banjarbaru City, South Kalimantan was still PPKM level 4. Even though several indicators for determining the status of the restriction had dropped.

"We question why Banjarbaru City is still staying at PPKM level IV and we also don't understand the indicators that make Banjarbaru still at level IV," he said, quoted by Antara, Monday, September 20.

The mayor emphasized that he and Deputy Mayor Wartono have until now questioned what made Banjarbaru still at level IV in terms of limiting community activities.

In fact, he said, the indicators that Banjarbaru had achieved were very good, starting from the achievement of community vaccinations, the percentage of BOR remaining at 9 percent and the relatively declining mortality rate.

"Inevitably, we were forced to follow even though it was a very bitter decision for us. We hope that there will be an explanation regarding the status of Banjarbaru City, why it is still PPKM level IV," he said.

Previously, the Head of KPC-PEN Airlangga Hartarto in a press conference on Monday said that the government will extend PPKM based on levels outside Java - Bali for the next two weeks.

According to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, PPKM was extended from September 21 to October 4 and there are still areas that implement level 4, including the City of Banjarbaru and Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan Province.

"The implementation of Community Activity Restrictions at level IV is still in effect in 10 regencies/cities, because it is related to agglomeration, population, and vaccination rates are still below 50 percent," he said.

The list of regions that are still implementing PPKM level IV are Aceh Tamiang, Pidie (Aceh), Bangka (Bangka Belitung), Padang (West Sumatra); Banjarbaru, Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan).

Then, the City of Balikpapan, Kutai Kartanegara (Kaltim), Tarakan and Bulungan (Kaltara), while PPKM level III in 105 districts/cities, PPKM level II in 250 districts/cities, and PPKM level I in 21 districts/cities.