regions with zero & declining cases can brace for new normal in indonesia
The government of Indonesia has announced that regions of the country that will meet the main two conditions to be able to ease COVID-19 mobility restrictions and start welcoming the so-called "new normal" as the country braces itself to open the economy gradually.
The conditions require the regions to either have maintained the zero cases of Covid-19 or have observed a significant decrease in the number of positive reported infections. This will help in relaxing the curb and reopen businesses under proper health protocols, COVID-19 task force chief Doni Monardo said.
"There are a total of 110 regencies and cities with no COVID-19 cases so far," Doni said on Wednesday, “Of the figure, except Papua, as many as 65 areas on the mainland and 22 areas on islands will be offered to reopen normally."
Doni confirmed that the areas are almost nearly sterile however not entirely safe from the disease. This is because the residents of the areas adhered and followed the proper health protocols during Covid-19 outbreak.
The regions that are categorized as "Green Zones" are the ones that have recorded the corona virus cases but with time have seen a significant declining rate in the transmission of the virus. in accordance with the World Health Organization's (WHO) indicators will be considered to reopen, Doni said.
One of the most important indicator and requirement is that the regions are required to see at least a 50 percent decline in the reported confirmed and suspected cases of Corona virus for more than two weeks along with a decrease in the fatalities.
Hospitals will play an important role in determining whether a region is safe and should be allowed to reopen its economy based on the declining number of patients of Covid-19.
Doni further added that regions are also required to meet other parameters before reopening, that includes the number of recoveries,
n increase in the number of completed monitoring procedures against COVID-19 suspects, an increase in specimen testing in the period of two weeks and scoring a basic reproduction number (R0) of COVID-19 below one.
"We will coordinate further with the National Development Planning Agency and the Coordinating Economic Ministry with regard to easing restrictions in regions,” Doni said, adding that the final decision would also depend on local administrations' preparedness to face the new normal.
Recently several provincial administrations and governments have reported to reopen the businesses in the region. Island of Gods, Bali for example, the hotels are now drafting proper guidelines for health protocols under the "new normal" situation as the
local government signaled to reopen tourist destinations gradually.
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil has also announced that the province should brace for a "new normal" starting on June 1, tribunnews.com reported on Wednesday.