Micro-scale Restrictions On Community Activities Gets Extended Again Until May 17th, There Are Additional 5 Provinces

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. Setkab)

JAKARTA - The government is again extending the Enforcement of Micro-scale Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM). This restriction is in effect from May 4 to May 17.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the extension of the Micro-scale PPKM was carried out after a meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and stakeholders. It is hoped that this can reduce the development of COVID-19 cases in the country.

"The micro-scale PPKM will implement the seventh extension between May 4 and May 17 and there are some restrictions on community activities that have not changed", said Airlangga in an online press conference broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account, Monday, May 3.

Even though there has been no change, however, the government still affirms that health protocols such as wearing masks are mandatory. Especially in entertainment locations or public facilities.

"That is the emphasis and the limitation is in place of 50 percent", he said.

In the extension of micro-scale PPKM for the seventh time, the government also expanded the provinces that did so. There are five new provinces that must implement micro-scale PPKM, namely the Riau Islands, Bengkulu, Central Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, and West Papua.

"So, the total (becomes, red) 30 provinces", he said.

On this occasion, Airlanga also explained the development of the COVID-19 case in the country. He said the number of cases in Indonesia continued to increase when compared to global cases.

"The case is increasing, both related to our daily confirmation in April of around 5.222 per day compared to January which was 10 thousand. Then we talk about active cases averaging around 107 thousand (in April, red), in January 139.963. The positivity rate is also improved in January 26 percent and in May 10.81 percent", he explained.

In addition, the highest number of active cases was recorded in January with 16 percent, while currently only 6 percent. In addition, the national level of use of beds at this time also reaches 35 percent, and no region has a figure above 70 percent.

"So much better", he concluded.