Indonesia extends activity restriction in Java-Bali amid COVID-19 cases under control

Jakarta, January 24 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government decided to extend the implementation of Community Activity Restriction (PPKM) in Java and Bali until January 31, 2022, and assessed that the surge in cases in recent times was still under control. "Despite the increase in cases, the government remains in full control of this Omicron variant. The increase in cases is relatively under control," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments, as well as PPKM Coordinator for Java and Bali, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, stated in an online press statement on Monday. Pandjaitan remarked that the number of confirmed and active daily cases was still 90 percent lower than the peak of the Delta variant's cases. "However, we cannot be overconfident and must stay vigilant. The key is being disciplined," he added. The minister explained that the daily number of cases of COVID-19 in the past week had continued to increase. Based on data collected by the government, cases in Java and Bali dominate the daily surge in cases. The increase in the number of cases in Java and Bali was an effect of a surge in cases in the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) agglomeration area. Meanwhile, in terms of the PPKM level, there was an increase in the number of districts and cities entering level 1. Pandjaitan later noted that cases caused by Foreign Travelers (PPLN) were already below 10 percent of the total number of national cases. Thus, it can be concluded that local transmission in Indonesia is more dominant than the foreign cases. The government also continues to monitor the trend of the positivity rate. Although overall, from the PCR and antigen test, the positivity rate is still below the WHO standard of five percent, but the PCR positivity rate has increased to nine percent. "With these various developments, we also urge the public to be more vigilant. Always implement health protocols, wear a mask, reduce unnecessary outdoor activities, and always use the PeduliLindungi application while conducting activities in public places," he affirmed. Furthermore, he noted that since Omicron was discovered a month ago in Indonesia, no signs of an exponential increase in cases had yet been reported. The Bed Occupancy Ratio (BOR) rate in Java-Bali is also better than that due to the Delta variant period. Daily death cases in all areas of Java and Bali for the last 14 days are also still at a fairly low level. "However, once again, the government remains vigilant, taking into account the fact that the effective reproduction rate is starting to increase. Currently, the RT number in Java has reached 1, while it is more than 1 in Bali," he stated.