PPKM Level 4 Extended, Government Increases Social Assistance, Prepares Small Business Assistance

President Jokowi announces extension of PPKM level 4 to August 2 in Java Bali (Presidential Secretariat Youtube)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo said that an increase in the provision of social assistance to communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic would be carried out.

Moreover, at this time the government has extended the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Level 4 on 26 July to 2 August.

"To reduce the burden on society as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has also increased the provision of social assistance to the community," Jokowi said in a video description posted on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube account, Sunday, July 25.

In addition to the community, the provision of assistance for micro and small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will also be carried out.

Jokowi did not specify what improvements were made. Later, he said, the coordinating minister and related ministers would explain further.

The President also ordered his ministers to carry out the distribution of vitamins and supplements to the public. Likewise, the provision of medicines and hospital treatment support for people exposed to COVID-19, including those who are self-isolating.

This is done to reduce the number of COVID-19 deaths in the community.

"Specifically, I ask the relevant ministers to immediately take maximum steps to distribute vitamins or supplements to the public, provide medical support, and consult doctors on self-isolation and support for treatment in hospitals," he said.

As previously reported, the government's decision to extend PPKM Level 4 was taken after considering aspects of health, economy, and dynamics in the community.

In addition, this decision was also strengthened by the trend of improving the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be seen from the decrease in the number of positive cases, the bed occupancy rate (BOR), to the positivity rate.

Even so, he reminded all parties to remain careful in responding to the trend of improvement that occurred.