Anies Says COVID-19 Cases Increases In Jakarta Due To Idul Fitri Holiday

DKI Jakarta Governor Calls for Joint Large-Scale Patrol at Block S Field, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. (Photo: Instagram @aniesbaswedan)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan stated that the current high increase in COVID-19 cases in the capital city was the impact of the 2021 Eid holiday which resulted in a new wave of increasing COVID-19 cases.

"The surge has only been felt recently, but this is not only in Jakarta, but also in various regions in Indonesia," Anies said when met at Blok S Field, Jakarta, Sunday, June 14 evening, as reported by Antara.

Although it doesn't only happen in Jakarta, Anies emphasized the need for collective discipline between the community, government, and law enforcement.

"It cannot be done by the community alone, but also by law enforcement or the government alone. All elements must work together," he said.

Furthermore, Anies asked all parties to be responsible for the activities they carry out under the conditions currently being faced, including business actors, social activities actors, cultural activities actors, religious activities actors.

"The responsible way is to carry out all health protocols. Operating hours are adhered, the number of occupancy is adhered, then the use of masks is adhered. We must work together, and it is impossible for us to do this alone," he said.

Therefore, Anies added, together with the ranks of the DKI Jakarta Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), tonight held an inspection related to the handling of COVID-19 to remind all parties, both law enforcers and the public, to implement the provisions.

"We are all equally responsible. Our officers will remind us, and our officers will give rules, give very strict sanctions. We will not compromise on violators who take an irresponsible attitude during this pandemic," he said.

The former Minister of Education described the extra attention needed in DKI considering that the current COVID-19 condition in Jakarta occurred in just one week.

From the data he disclosed, in the past week, active cases in Jakarta on June 6, 2021, were 11,500, and this Friday to 17,400 or an increase of about 50 percent.

The positivity rate (the rate of increase in cases) also increased which last week was nine percent, and today it is 17 percent.

"The increase in new cases in the last four days, every day there is an increase of 2,000 cases, 2,300 cases, 2,400 cases, and today 2,700 cases," he said.

On the other hand, Anies continued, DKI's testing capability in this week has been increased from four times the WHO standard to eight times.

"Even then, it still shows a high positivity rate. Likewise, isolation beds in hospitals last week were occupied by 45 percent, today they are filled at 75 percent, although the death rate tends to remain and does not show an increase," he said.