End Of Year Holiday, Sri Mulyani: If People Underestimate The Pandemic, Get Ready For Emergency Brake Stepped On Again

Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani. (Photo: Doc. Setkab)

JAKARTA - Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati warned about the momentum of the Christmas and New Year holidays at the end of this month. This is because, during the year-end holidays there will usually be an increase in community activities that have the potential to increase the number of COVID-19 cases.

If the number of active cases of COVID-19 increases again, then like it or not Indonesia must re-implement Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) as before.

"Indonesia needs to be vigilant at the end of the year because community activities have increased. It must be really guarded that you don't have to step on the brakes because COVID-19 has escalated," he said in a virtual press conference, Monday, December 14.

This state treasurer emphasized that the public should not underestimate the pandemic. Given the most developed, disciplined, and most powerful health systems, such as Japan and South Korea, they must face the second wave.

Not only that, developed countries such as the United States, Europe, and Germany began to experience a very significant spike in COVID-19 cases since November, considering that there will be strict restrictions.

"And the Nordic countries, including Sweden, which used to almost get praise because they carried out and handled conflicts unconventional, namely freeing their people to move without the existence of health protocols, are now faced with extremely decisive conditions," he said.

As is known, positive cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia have reached more than half a million, 623,309 to be precise. Meanwhile, the number of cases added today reached 5,489. Meanwhile, the cumulative death cases reached 18,956.

Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked that the long holiday at the end of 2020 be reduced. When referring to the last rule, the year-end long holiday can actually reach 11 days.

It is intended that people do not flock to go on vacation, causing a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Jokowi's instruction was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy after a closed meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, November 23.

Muhadjir said, Jokowi advised that all means be done to prevent crowds, including reducing holidays and leave. The government does not want COVID-19 cases to increase again.