PPKM Jakarta Hasn't Dropped Because Bodetabek Vaccinations Are Still Lagging Behind, Deputy Governor Riza: We Must Understand

JAKARTA - The government has not lowered the level of implementation of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) in Jakarta from level 3 to level 2 even though COVID-19 cases have dropped and vaccination achievements are already high.

This is because the vaccination achievement in Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Bodetabek) has not been evenly distributed. Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria, understands this condition.

"Yes, we must understand each other. Of course, the central government has reasons", said Riza at DKI City Hall, Central Jakarta, Friday, September 24.

Even though the condition of the COVID-19 pandemic in the capital city has improved, the mechanism for restricting policies in Jakarta does not stand alone.

Riza said that PPKM leveling in Jakarta became one package with a buffer zone because it was included in the Jabodetabek agglomeration area.

"There are cities around Jakarta, buffer cities that interact strongly with Jakarta so that everything must be equally good so that the level is just lowered", he said.

For information, as of today, there are 181 COVID-19 cases in Jakarta with 2,041 active cases. Jakarta's positivity rate last week was 1 percent.

Meanwhile, the achievement of the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination in DKI reached 10,336,382 doses and the second dose of vaccination reached 7,577,346.

However, the Ministry of Health stated that vaccination achievements in Bodetabek did not meet the requirements to reduce the implementation of PPKM in Jabodetabek from level 3 to level 2.

"Because vaccination coverage in Bogor, Tangerang, Depok and Bekasi districts has not yet reached 50 percent, the entire Jabodetabek area has not been able to go down to PPKM level 2", said vaccination spokesperson from the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi.