Jakarta Extends PPKM for Two More Weeks to Face Long Weekend Holiday

Approaching the long holidays of Isra 'Mi'raj and Nyepi holidays which fall in the middle of this month, the Jakarta Provincial Government has extended the current period of micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM Mikro) for another two weeks to March 22.

We recommend that all of us do not travel outside the city, don't visit crowded places, and stay at home if there is no emergency need

This decision is contained in the Governor's Decree number 213/2021 on regarding the Extension of PPKM Mikro.

Thus far the city government continues to prevent an increase in active cases while optimizing services in increasing the cure rate. Based on the data of PPKM Mikro from February 8 to 22, the active case has been successfully suppressed in Jakarta.

Based-micro PPKM Socialized to Tourism Business Actors in Thousand Islands

Jakarta Health Agency (Dinkes) Head, Widyastuti explained there was a decrease in the number of active cases as of February 21 by 13,309, March 7 by 7,209 cases with a reduced reproduction rate from 1.04 (February 16) to 1.02 (March 6) and a reduced positivity rate from 18% in February to 11.6% in March.

"The decrease in active cases is the result of our hard work together, by striving to increase the cure rate, which as of February 21 was 310,412 with 94.5% percentage. Then as of March 7, the cure rate increased by 337,426 with a cure rate of 96.3%. Until now, in total, 5,790 people died with a mortality rate of 1.7%, while Indonesia's death rate was 2.7%," she expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release.

Regarding the case, the government was able to reduce the number of use of the Bed Occupancy Rate (BOR) or the level of occupancy, either it is an isolation bed or an ICU. It also explained that the government's performance in regulating the availability of health facilities to deal with active cases is running effectively, along with efforts to increase the patient's cure rate.

"There is a significant decrease in isolation bed fill as of February 21, where the bed capacity is increased to 8,321 beds and 5,461 beds are occupied. As of March 7, the number used is only 4,922 beds or 60% of the existing number, it decreased to 6%. ICU capacity has also decreased as of February 21, ICU capacity of 1,156, 817 or 71% filled, while 755 occupied or 66% used as of March 7," he explained.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan continues to urge all residents to stay at home and refrain from traveling out of town, especially during the long weekend.

"In middle of this week to the weekend, there will be a long holiday of religious celebrations, namely Isra 'Mi'raj and Nyepi. We recommend that all of us do not travel outside the city, don't visit crowded places, and stay at home if there is no emergency need. This is important to keep active cases from growing," he continued.

He also urged residents to always vigilant and disciplined 3M health protocols stand for mask-wearing, hand-washing and social-distancing, while his party would continuously improve its testing, tracing and treatment (3T) capabilities.

"We also continue to strive consistently to coordinate and collaborate with various parties to increase the availability of the capacity of the ICU and controlled isolation areas, which are hotels and athletes' homes. Its existence is very helpful to curb the COVID transmission," he stated.

As for the information, the city has always sent full support in the mass vaccination process for health and non-health workers. While the non-health workers, Jakarta has started by vaccinating traders in Tanah Abang, teachers in SMAN 70 Jakarta, as well as for elderly at Istora Senayan. Jakarta will plan a vaccination process targeting other public service officers.