mudik<\/em>, the annual return of Indonesians in cities to their families in more rural communities.\u00a0But here we are, Indonesia just set a world record for the number of new COVID-19 cases in a single day (over 20,000) since the pandemic began in 2020.\u00a0Hospitals across the country are at 100% capacity, tents have been erected to handle the overflow and volunteers are being asked to donate ancillary goods and services.\u00a0President Jokowi, after an initial reticence, has been forced to enact stricter measures that will have a side effect he has struggled to avoid: closing parts of the economy.\u00a0This all comes in stark contrast to the US where many of us are traveling again and returning to our offices.<\/p>\nThe new rules, deemed \u201cemergency public restrictions\u201d, released today begin July 3, apply to areas of high transmission (\u201cred zones\u201d) in Java and Bali, and will last until July 20.\u00a0\u00a0These would include many but not all major cities and large towns. Not yet finalized, there could be further modifications in the days ahead.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 100% work from home except essential and critical sectors<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For essential sectors: 50% maximum in office with health protocols (distancing\/masks)<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For critical sectors: 100% can be in office with health protocols.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Essential sectors: finance\/banking, capital markets and payment systems, information and communications technology, non-quarantine hotels, and export-oriented industries<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Critical sectors: energy, health, security, logistics\/transportation, food\/staples and beverage, petrochemicals, cement, disaster management, construction, national strategic projects, electricity, and water transmission<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Supermarkets and traditional markets cannot remain open past 8:00 pm and are limited to 50% capacity.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All educational activities must be carried out only online.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Public transport (taxi, train, bus, rental) limited to 70% with strict health protocols.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Passengers on domestic flights must show a vaccine card (at least one dose) and evidence of a PCR test.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Tourism Minister has delayed Bali\u2019s July re-opening until later in August but will be watching COVID levels carefully.<\/p>\n
Facilities temporarily closed are:<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shopping malls, trade centers, movie theaters<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Art\/cultural, performances\/concerts, sports and social activities<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Public areas, parks and tourist attractions<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Places of worship (mosques, churches, prayer rooms)<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Restaurants: open only for take away or delivery<\/p>\n
The highly transmissible Delta variant is thought to be behind the recent outbreak, but other factors have surely been at play.\u00a0One is vaccine resistance, a problem not unique to Indonesia.\u00a0\u201cIts God plan not the government\u2019s that is important\u201d is a phrase commonly heard.\u00a0Another is the long-standing policy of the government to minimize the impact of the pandemic on the livelihoods of the 60% of Indonesians who are not employed formally.\u00a0Their only option to pay for daily needs is labor for end-of-the-day cash wages.\u00a0\u00a0To keep this segment of society locked down is nigh impossible.\u00a0Testing and tracing have never reached the intended level and vaccine supplies, especially Astra Zeneca made in India, have also been slower to arrive. (50 million Pfizer doses will begin arriving in August).<\/p>\n
Indonesia officials report that only 8% of the 183 million people in the target pool (based on age and health status) have been vaccinated.\u00a0President Jokowi has set an ambitious 70% rate in priority cities (such as Jakarta) and regions (such as Bali) for no later than August 2021.<\/p>\n
Indonesia stands in July 2021 much like it did in May 2020 as the first COVID wave washed over the country.\u00a0This second wave will have its consequences on travel and the economy, no doubt, but at least we have vaccines and therapies.\u00a0\u00a0Whats uncertain is how long it will be before high levels of immunity are achieved as well as where they occur.\u00a0It may be possible to reach the President\u2019s goal in Jakarta and tourist zones in Bali this year and other well-governed regions such as Yogyakarta.\u00a0But I fear that many of the elements that repeat the transmission cycle, reluctance to impose full lockdowns, vaccine resistance, and lack of adequate testing and tracing, will remain for some time, maybe even years. We all need to adjust our expectations and maintain our businesses within this \u201cnew normal\u201d.\u00a0We have no other choice.<\/p>\n
(These views are the author\u2019s and may not reflect those of AICC or its members.)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n[\/fusion_text][\/fusion_builder_column][\/fusion_builder_row][\/fusion_builder_container]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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