Jakarta (ANTARA) - The imposition of restriction on community activities (PPKM) is expected to reduce active coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases by 20 percent and encourage public adherence to health protocols, COVID-19 Handling Task Force Head Doni Monardo stated.
Monardo pointed to a similar move taken when Indonesia had recorded a significant spike in COVID-19 infections in September 2020.
"We saw the peak in the second week of October, and we could reduce (the active case count) by 20 percent. (COVID-19) active cases in the second week of October had reached 64 thousand, and it could be lowered to 54 thousand," he remarked.
Monardo highlighted the government’s decision to take the step in order to curtail the current exponential increase in the number of new cases of COVID-19 infection.
The task force head urged the government and people to diligently and consistently abide by the health protocols, including washing hands, maintaining physical distancing, and wearing mask.
"We need to jointly handle this pandemic. We cannot do it alone," he stated.
Monardo reiterated that public activities were not prohibited under the PPKM imposition, though it did restrict activities in some areas in Java and Bali.
The government decided to impose restrictions on the movement of people on January 11-25, especially in Java and Bali, to counter a rapid rise in the number of new cases of COVID-19.
While curbing the movement of people, the government will closely monitor the implementation of three key public health protocols: wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands.
Furthermore, daily operations to monitor the implementation of health protocols at public places will also be conducted by involving personnel of the civil service police unit (Satpol PP), police officers, and TNI personnel.
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