Jakarta Extends PPKM Mikro Until April 5, 2021 to Reduce Active Cases

Micro-scale Restrictions on Community Activity (PPKM Mikro) has shown significant results in declining number of active cases in Jakarta. Therefore, through Gubernatorial Decree No. 294/2021 on Extension of PPKM Mikro and Gubernatorial Instruction No. 13/2021 on Extension of PPKM Mikro at RT level, Jakarta Government has decided to extend PPKM Mikro until April 5, 2021.

Our joint efforts to reduce active cases rate through PPKM Mikro are on track, thus we can see significant decline

Jakarta Health Agency Head, Widyastuti explained, number of active cases declined very significantly with 7,439 active cases on March 8 into 5,747 active cases on March 16. It means it decreased up to 1,692 cases during implementation of PPKM Mikro.

"During post-holiday period of religious holidays (Isra Miraj and Nyepi), the curve has risen again but still under control to 7,322 active cases on March 21, 2021," she said as quoted from Jakarta PPID Press Release, Tuesday (3/23).

29 Face Speedy Trials for Violating PPKM Mikro in Pademangan

This significant decrease in active cases also reduce the use of isolation beds and ICU beds. Based on data from Jakarta Health Agency, total isolation beds capacity as of March 7 reached 8,256 beds where 4,922 beds or 60% were used. While total ICU capacity as of March 7 reached 1,148 beds where 755 ICU beds or 66% were used.

"While as of 21 March, we had capacity of 7,863 isolation beds, where 4,258 beds or 54% were occupied; and 1,142 beds for ICU where 674 or 59% were occupied. Thus beds and ICU that were previously prepared could be used for non-Covid patients," she explained.

Even though there is a decrease in number of active cases, Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan urged residents for not leaving house, especially if there is no urgent need, to prevent increase in active cases such as happened during post-holiday.

"Thank God, our joint efforts to reduce active cases rate through PPKM Mikro are on track, thus we can see significant decline," he mentioned.

"However, holidays will always be the cause of spike in cases, thus we must anticipate it. Restrain yourself and take responsibility to avoid risk of exposure," he added.

Furthermore, he also conveyed survey data which compiled by team from Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, UNICEF, and Health Center (Puskesmas) cadres in the past week that showed level of community compliance with 3M was at an unsatisfactory percentage.

There was decrease in three indicators, namely wearing mask, maintaining distance by 40% and washing hands with soap by 10%. In fact, these indicators could touch 85%.

"Once again, we remind you to continue implementing 3M health protocol, although we are bored but virus is tireless, not bored. And I often say that wearing mask may be uncomfortable, but it is more uncomfortable to be treated because positive for Covid-19," he asserted.

He believes that if PPKM Mikro is continued and accompanied by 3M discipline, as well as vaccination process that has reached 824,000 people for stage 1 and 2 for health workers, elderly people, and public services, in the future, Jakarta will be faster in recovery process, both health and economy.

"This PPKM Mikro has an effective impact and hopefully it can be implemented while people carry out 3M in discipline, coupled with vaccine, of course it will be game changer for this pandemic," he closed.