the PPKM Is Extended Today, Will It Be More Relaxed?

COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito (Photo: BNPB dock)

JAKARTA - The implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) will end today. Tonight, the government will announce the extension of the PPKM, both in Java and Bali and outside Java-Bali.

Last week, many regions that received a reduction in the PPKM assessment level became more relaxed because the development of COVID-19 cases was improving. How about this week?

The spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, said that the determination of levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 in each district/city PPKM was based on the rate of transmission of COVID-19 and how the government responded to the COVID-19 conditions in each region.

"In determining the level of an area, there are two indicators to consider, namely the transmission rate and response capacity", said Wiku to VOI, Monday, September 6.

Then, in determining the rate of transmission, the magnitude of the positivity rate cannot be separated from the calculation. The positivity rate is the percentage of positive cases based on the examination of specimens seen every week.

"In principle, if an area experiences an improvement in case conditions or an increase in control capability, then the area will automatically be assessed as improving and the regional level will decrease", said Wiku.

It is known last week that COVID-19 cases had decreased by 94 percent from the peak of cases last July 15. The number of cities/districts that entered level 2 increased from 10 to 27, level 3 from 67 to 76, and level 4 decreased from 51 to 25 districts/cities.

A number of regencies/cities outside Java-Bali also experienced a decline in the PPKM level assessment. Over the past week, the implementation of Level 4 PPKM, which was previously in 104 regencies/cities, has now become 85 regencies/cities. Then, Level 3 PPKM from 234 regencies/cities decreased to 232 regencies/cities.

Meanwhile, regions that have implemented Level 2 PPKM have increased from 48 urban districts to 68 districts. Then, Level 1 PPKM increased from no district/city to 1 district/city.

As of September 5, there were 5.403 new COVID-19 cases, with weekly active COVID-19 cases on a national scale of 171.885 cases and this week's specimen positivity rate dropping to 8.31 percent.