By: Muhammad Yasin)*
The government emphasized that the implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) will continue to be implemented until the handling of Covid-19 is under one hundred percent control. The PPKM policy also deserves appreciation from many parties because it has been proven effective in controlling Covid-19 in Indonesia.
The pandemic has changed people’s activities because they have to obey health protocols and reduce mobility. They are also required to comply with PPKM because this is a government regulation. PPKM is not to make people miserable because there are restrictions on activities, but rather to save them from the dangers of Corona.
Based on data from the Covid-19 Task Force Team as of May 9, 2022, there were 254 Covid-19 cases and tended to be fewer than in previous periods. Nevertheless, vigilance is still needed considering that until now the transmission of Covid-19 continues in Indonesia. Therefore, adherence to the Prokes and the application of PPKM are still needed in controlling Covid-19 cases.
Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, Spokesperson for the Covid-19 Handling Task Force, stated that PPKM is still in effect as long as there are Corona cases in Indonesia. The legal umbrella is the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs (Inmendagri) Number 24 of 2022 concerning PPKM Level 3, Level 2 and Level 1 Covid-19 regulations in Java-Bali. PPKM is an important policy instrument in preventing Corona transmission in the regions, so it needs the support of all parties.
President Jokowi stated that PPKM will continue in Indonesia until the Corona virus control is 100%. Previously, the community was waiting to see whether PPKM would stop or be continued. However, the government is proven to continue PPKM until the pandemic is over and Corona is gone.
Maybe ordinary people think that PPKM has finished because during the Lebaran holiday, they are allowed to go home. Even though the easing is also subject to many conditions, namely booster vaccines, compliance with health protocols, and social distancing. The rules are in line with the rules during PPKM, namely driving safely and maintaining a distance. Even though there is no insulation at the border between cities.
PPKM must be continued because it has been proven effective in dealing with Corona. In the middle of 2021, when Covid cases were at their highest, a strict PPKM was held and also isolation in various regions. The goal is to reduce mobility. The result is a decrease in Corona cases by 59%.
Imagine if PPKM was extended during the pandemic, there would be a decrease in Corona cases in Indonesia. It could be that next month there are only 100 patients left, and it will continue to decline. In this way, we are optimistic that all Corona patients will recover quickly and there will be no further transmission, one of which is due to the strict implementation of PPKM.
PPKM must be extended again because it can reduce the risk of Corona transmission. The reason is because if there is PPKM then the mobility of the community is limited, especially those who travel out of town. Indeed, there is no isolation, but residents are expected to be aware and only leave the city if there are urgent matters, such as office services, takziah, and so on.
The public must be reminded that one of the causes of Corona transmission is mass mobility. Therefore, PPKM is reasonable if it continues to be extended, because it can reduce the movement of residents. This rule is enforced for the sake of public health.
In addition, when PPKM is implemented, the activities of residents are also limited. Don’t just because the Corona case is decreasing, you can even hold a wedding party or concert that invites a lot of people. Remember that this is still a pandemic and obey the PPKM rules and health protocols.
The community supports the sustainability of PPKM because the pandemic has not been declared over, even though the number of Corona patients continues to decline. PPKM must continue as long as there are Covid-19 patients. With the implementation of PPKM, the trend of controlling Covid-19 will be maintained and the transition from pandemic to endemic can be realized immediately.
)* The author is a contributor to the Press Circle and Cikini Students
