COVID-19 Case Worsening, PKS: Micro PPKM Ineffective, Implement PSBB!

Illustration (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - Member of the House of Representatives Commission IX, Netty Prasetiyani, asked the government to immediately impose Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) to control the spike in COVID-19 cases in the red zones, which is getting worse.

According to him, the implementation of micro-scale Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) has proven to be ineffective in restraining community mobility. As a result, the spike in COVID-19 cases is difficult to control.

"The government must immediately implement PSBB, even a total lockdown," said Netty to reporters, Wednesday, June 23.

It is known, PSBB itself is regulated through Law Number 6 of 2018 concerning Health Quarantine. On March 31, 2020, the government set further rules regarding PSBB through Government Regulation Number 21 of 2020.

This West Java legislator assessed that the pandemic would be more effectively controlled by implementing strict, firm health protocols and involving broad participation from the community.

“The community must be forced to discipline the process through strict and firm rules. Without firm and half-hearted rules, people who are tired of the pandemic situation will be ignorant and don't care," he explained.

Therefore, Netty urges that the option to apply PSBB as at the beginning of the pandemic must be taken back. "The strict PSBB that was implemented in Jakarta in the past has been proven to be able to significantly reduce the number of cases," he added.

Based on data from the Task Force, the number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has exceeded 2 million, to be exact, 2,004,445 on Monday, June 21. Within 24 hours, the government reported the addition of 14,536 new cases.

If stricter policies are not taken immediately, continued Netty, the COVID-19 case in the country will get worse.

"Don't let us experience things like India and Malaysia, which are overwhelmed with controlling the pandemic. Implement a brake pull strategy by applying PSBB for a minimum of 14 days," he said.

Moreover, said Netty, currently many children are a vulnerable group who have been exposed to COVID-19. It is noted that DKI Jakarta has daily additional cases of 5,582 cases, 879 of which are children.

Netty emphasized that strict and tight rules in the implementation of health care programs must be accompanied by the government's readiness to provide adequate health facilities, including for children who need more specific treatment.

"The government must not be slow to act to anticipate queues and even accumulation of patients in the emergency room because the treatment rooms are full. Immediately add treatment facilities such as the Athlete's House, and even prepare a Field Hospital scenario to anticipate a surge in patients," he said.

Netty also reminded parents to be disciplined in carrying out health procedures and minimize bringing children out of the house with a high potential for transmission. Because, parents are also responsible for protecting their children from virus attacks.

"Make sure children get adequate intake, get enough rest, and stay at home. Don't let parents take their children to malls or tourist attractions with the excuse of overcoming boredom. Children are the nation's future generation whose health must be maintained," said the PKS politician.