PPKM Level In Java-Bali Still Needed To Handle COVID-19

Illustrations (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - The level of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) implemented in Java-Bali will end on Monday, August 23, or today. However, the government is asked to continue implementing it even though the number of COVID-19 cases is said to be starting to improve.

An epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University, Dicky Budiman, said that the implementation of the PPKM level in Java-Bali must still be carried out firmly in order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. He reminded that there should be no tolerance in the application of this restriction just because the number of cases is considered to have improved.

"PPKM should be continued. Leveling is now decreasing but it must be completed or cleared and the performance confirmed first so that there are no negotiations. We are used to that, in the past PSBB had a transitional PSBB. That's called negotiation and it cannot be in a situation like this," said Dicky to VOI, Monday, August 23.

He said that negotiating in the form of uncontrolled easing is tantamount to endangering people's lives. "So if you really want PPKM Level 4, you must obey it, if, for example, it is feasible to go to Level 3, the indicators must be obeyed," said Dicky.

"For example, on the other hand, it's 100 percent, but here it's 50 percent. This is so incoherent. There's no synergy. (Policies, ed) must be the same," added the epidemiologist.

He continued that the key performance indicators (KPI) to determine the leveling of an area should also not change and must be obeyed by all parties.

"If it changes, it will cause inconsistency, confusion, and make the gradation of relaxation not happen and lead to danger," he said.

Dicky did not deny that the government had suppressed the COVID-19 case. However, the government must also be aware of the test positivity rate, which is still above 5 percent in the country.

Moreover, the high positivity rate also indicates that the actual pandemic is not yet fully under control. In fact, on the one hand, the number of testing in Indonesia is also not optimal.

So, Dicky reminded that in addition to the PPKM policy, it must be firm and consistent, the acceleration of testing, tracing, and treatment or 3T must be carried out massively.

"Improve the 3T as promised in the PPKM itself, which is actually not called adequate," he said.

"And commitment. That's what I always say. The two issues that have always been a problem since this pandemic, consistency, 3T, 5M (health protocols) and vaccinations are a problem, especially outside Java, especially in the target population of risk groups," he added.

Regarding the extension of the PPKM level on Java-Bali Island, the government has actually ensured that it will continue to be carried out as long as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on Monday, August 16.

The statement also answered the public's questions every week whether the level PPKM would be continued or not once a week.

"I get a lot of questions whether PPKM is continued or stopped? I want to explain that as long as COVID-19 is still a pandemic, KDP will still be used as an instrument to control people's activities and mobility," he said at the time.

However, Luhut ensured that the government would continue to evaluate the implementation of the restrictions in Java-Bali every week. So, when there is a change the government can adapt by lowering or increasing the level of PPKM.

"Evaluation every week so that we can respond to changes in the situation quickly. We should not be euphoric with this good number," said Luhut.

Similarly, the Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, said it was impossible to stop PPKM. However, the implementation of PPKM can be relaxed by lowering the level of assessment.

PPKM currently has four limiting scenarios, namely level 4, level 3, level 2, and level 1. Leveling is applied for a certain period of time so that people can be productive but remain safe from COVID-19.

"Restrictions will be relaxed or tightened according to the situation. The strictest is Level 4 and the loosest is Level 1. If PPKM is not carried out with the above scope, then the community's activities will not be safe from COVID-19," explained Wiku.