Task Force For Handling COVID-19 Optimizes The Functions Of Micro PPKM Command Post In Regions

Head of the National Disaster Management Agency and Chair of the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 Ganip Warsito (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 Task Force focuses on optimizing the function of the micro-scale Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) post in the regions to control the transmission of the coronavirus.

Head of the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 Ganip Warsito after attending a limited meeting with the President in Jakarta, Monday, said that micro PPKM posts would be empowered to carry out prevention, treatment, guidance, and support.

"Learning from the experience of Kudus and the five surrounding districts, there are weaknesses at this level. Therefore, we will continue to empower the function of this micro PPKM post, we will optimize it, at least to carry out its duties to monitor and evaluate regional case data and develop strategies for handling them," Ganip said.

Ganip said that the Task Force was also intensifying inspection and tracing of cases of COVID-19 transmission and monitoring the implementation of health protocols.

The Task Force asked local governments to continue to monitor the availability of beds and hospital resources to deal with a potential spike in COVID-19 cases.

"We will intervene in areas where the BOR will increase, in coordination with the relevant ministries, TNI, Polri, and local governments," he said, referring to the bed occupancy ratio (BOR) for patients.

In addition, Ganip said, the Task Force also streamlined pentahelix collaboration, including in the implementation of education and socialization of health protocols.

"The Ministry of Health, BNPB, and related ministries will continue to provide support to local governments in order to suppress the surge in COVID-19," he said.

Regarding Indonesian workers returning from abroad or foreigners entering Indonesia, Ganip said that they must undergo the applicable inspection and quarantine procedures.

"So we will carry out an entry test (checking on entry), then we will continue to carry out a five-day quarantine, then we will carry out an exit test for the next five days," he said.

"Especially for India, we will tighten it again to 14 days, then an exit test will be carried out, to make sure the person concerned is positive or negative," he added.