Coronavirus Update #50 February 8, 2021
Cumulative number of reported cases: 1,166,079 (as of February 8)
Recovered: 963,028
Deaths: 31,763
Rupiah to US$14,000
Jakarta Stock Exchange Index: 6208
Overview- Some LockdownsCentral Java broke with most of Indonesia and created a lockdown for February 6-8. Although the national case growth rate backed off slightly, falling to 12,150 on a 7-day moving average( 1% drop), the Janaury spike has sparked discussions on implementing a three day lockdown across the country. However, some ministers downplayed to possibility. State-owned pharmaceutical firm, Bio Farma, is scaling up its production of a Chinese-made vaccine. From the 3 million shipped from China in December, about 500,00 of 1.5 million healthcare workers have received the first of two vaccinations. Bio Farma is also processing ingredients from the Chinese firm Sinovac for another 25 million doses. Sinovac has committed to 140 million does during 2021. The Health Minister stated that some of Indonesia’s allotment from the Gavi-Covax facility will begin to arrive at the end of this month. This would amount to 13.7 million of the total 54-108 million doses Indonesia has signed up for. These would be mostly from Astra Zeneca, with some small amounts from Pfizer and Moderna. If the one-dose Johnston & Johnson vaccine becomes available through Covax it would assist Indonesia tremendously given its easier storage and transfer requirements. Travel-Travel restrictions to Indonesia for foreigners were supposed to end on Monday, February 8th (today). However, information on the official immigration website has not been updated to clarify whether the restrictions have been lifted/renewed. Indonesia is extending restrictions to focus on specific regions. The new restrictions, which will run from Feb 9 until Feb 22, will impose different limitations on movements in certain districts and regencies, depending on their severity, according to an order issued by the Home Ministry. Restrictions will be eased in locations where improvements are seen. Economic-
Education/Social/CulturePositive Pluralism trend: The Ministers of Home Affairs, Education, and Religion issued a joint decree eliminating the mandatory use of religious uniforms in public schools. Clothing affiliated with a religion is a decision for parents and the students and will no longer be up to the school or the government. The decree applies to government schools but not religious schools whether private or government-owned. The special province of Aceh is exempted. (sources: International and Indonesia news media, Bali Update (from balidiscovery.com), Reformasi Weekly)
|