JAKARTA - Chief of Indonesian National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, asked Bali's Regional Leaders Communication Forum (Forkopimda) to strengthen Covid-19 control strategy implementation to guarantee public health. Therefore, people economic activities in the Island of Gods would keep growing after being severely hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Sigit delivered the instruction during leading a meeting with the Forkopimda of Bali, together with Commander of the Armed Forces, Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, on Sunday (29/8/2021).
"With the maintained public health, Bali's economy will grow", Sigit said in his instruction.
In the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Indonesian economy grows 7.07%. The Bali economy also grows 2.83%.
Sigit explained that the Covid-19 control strategy is divided into three: implementing strict Health Protocols (wearing face masks, washing hands, and keeping distance), 3T strengthening (testing, tracing, treatment), and mass vaccination programme acceleration.
Besides strengthening the strategy above, the former Chief of Banten Regional Police also asked the Forkopimda to optimise traffic insulation policy, started from inter-province, inter-regency/city, and public mobility and activity restrictions.
"Intensifying inter-province insulation through the air gateway of Ngurah Rai airport and water gateway of Ketapang-Gilimanuk and Lembar-Padangbai crossing. The insulation should also be imposed inter-regency/city through inter-regency/city, bus terminal, or toll gate checkpoints", the former Chief of Criminal Investigation Agency said.
Sigit explained that the domestic travellers' regulations are being relaxed as long as they fulfil the requirements stated in Instruction of Minister of Home Affairs No. 35 of 2021.
Regarding the requirements, the inter-province travellers must show proof of vaccination, at least one dose. The travellers with cars, motorcycles, buses, trains, and ships must show the negative antigen test result one day before the arrival. Air travellers must show the negative PCR test two days before they travel.
The air travel between regency/city in Java and Bali islands must fulfil the determined requirements.
This regulation includes the observation personnel. "We will give firm sanctions for personnel not properly inspecting the traffic insulation implementation", Sigit said.
On the other side, Sigit hoped that Forkopimda of Bali to be in synergy with all walks of life and uses traditional approaches through its leaders to encourage people tested positive for Coronavirus to be willing to be quarantined at the Centralised Isolation Facilities (Isoter), which have been established and run excellently in Bali. According to Sigit, the recovery rate of Isoter is higher because it is supported by adequate facilities and observed by the health workers.
"The effort to shift self-isolation to Isoter need to be conducted optimally with the help of regional government and all community and traditional figures. The further proper explanation is required with the adjustment to local wisdom that could give calm to the people when encouraging them to go to Isoter", Sigit explained.
Furthermore, Sigit emphasised that Forkopimda of Bali must keep accelerating the national vaccination programme as targeted by President Joko Widodo in order to form herd immunity towards Covid-19.
"To reduce transmission and death due to Covid-19, Armed Forces-Police with the regional government keep accelerating vaccination. In order to achieve the target, a synergy between Armed Forces, Police, regional government, and the general public is required. In preparing vaccination strategy, they could conduct mass vaccination, establish vaccination outlets, mobile vaccination, and door-to-door campaigns when the doses come in bulk", Sigit said.
With all efforts, seriousness, cooperation with all elements, and extraordinary measures, according to Sigit, public health could be guaranteed, and economic activities could run with the provided relaxation policies.
"When the Covid-19 cases could be controlled, then the region would earn the relaxation policy and public economy could run better, just like the ones happening in the agglomerated regions of Greater Jakarta, Greater Bandung, and Greater Surabaya. It is indeed a common responsibility of the government, either central or regional, and all walks of life", Sigit said.
After gave instructions to Forkopimda of Bali, Commander of the Armed Forces and Chief of Indonesian National Police visited Hotel Grand Inna Bali Beach, Sanur, Bali, which is dedicated as Isoter. They directly saw the handling and treatment of Covid-19 patients.
