Extended PPKM Java-Bali: Level 2 Increases, Level 3 Decreases

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JAKARTA - The implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) on the islands of Java and Bali has been extended from March 8 to 14, 2022. This is stated in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 15 of 2022.

The Director-General of Regional Administration for the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), Safrizal ZA, stated that the number of regions implementing PPKM Level 2 increased, while PPKM Level 3 areas decreased.

Several regencies/cities that have experienced a decline in the assessment to Level 2 are Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek), as well as Surabaya, Gresik, Lamongan, Bangkalan, Mojokerto, and Sidoarjo (Surabaya Raya).

"It can be seen from the increase in the number of regions at Level 2 in the extension of the PPKM this week from the previous 13 regions to 37 regions. The increase in Level 2 was followed by a decrease in the number of regions at Level 3 from the previous 108 regions to 84 regions", said Safrizal in his statement, Tuesday, March 8.

Meanwhile, the number of regions at Level 4 has not changed and is still being implemented in 7 regions, which are dominated by all regencies/cities in DI Yogyakarta Province, Magelang City, and Madiun City.

Safrizal revealed that the PPKM level assessment this week began to show improvement. This is accompanied by a downward trend in national active cases, a decrease in the rate of hospitalization, as well as a decrease in the death rate which parallels an increase in the cure rate.

"We should be grateful that the exponential increase in recent times due to the outbreak of the Omicron variant, currently shows a significant decrease and decrease in the number of cases. This situation cannot be separated from the collaboration of all parties, both central and regional, who continue to work together in dealing with this pandemic", said Safrizal.

In the regulation of the PPKM Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs this time continued Safrizal, the government also regulates sports competition activities with spectators that can be carried out in all regions, except those still at Level 4.

The rules for limiting audience capacity are 50 percent for regions with PPKM Level 3 status, 75 percent for PPKM Level 2 regions, and 100 percent for regions with PPKM Level 1 status.

"The implementation of these activities must also be followed by the application of strict health protocols. All spectators who attend directly at the stadium must have been vaccinated with boosters and do not need to show the results of the PCR/Antigen test", explained Safrizal.

"Meanwhile, all players, officials, media crew, and support staff must have been vaccinated with a second dose, and show a negative H-1 PCR result or a negative antigen result on match day", he continued.