Malang, MC – Until now, Covid-19 in Malang City has decreased drastically. This refers to the high recovery rate of people exposed to Covid-19 which is also followed by the implementation of massive vaccinations, as well as the implementation of strict health protocols. So that the Ministry of Health has determined that Malang City is entering level 1 of the Implementation of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).
The statement was delivered by the Mayor of Malang, Drs. H. Sutiaji, while leading an evaluation meeting entitled 'Handling and Anticipating the Increase in Covid-19 Cases' in the Meeting Room of the Malang City Hall, Thursday (14/10/2021).
He added, however, based on the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 47 of 2021 which was changed to Number 49 of 2021, Malang City is still at level 3. This determination, said Mayor Sutiaji, refers to or is influenced by agglomeration or several areas connected/adjacent to Malang City. For example, Probolinggo Regency, Malang Regency, Pasuruan, and Batu City which are still at level 3 of the implementation of PPKM.
Therefore, he explained, it is important for the Malang City Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) to hold an evaluation meeting with a number of community elements including shopping center managers, trader associations, related agencies and hotel restaurant associations. In the meeting led by the Mayor of Malang, representatives of the meeting participants were given the opportunity to convey suggestions, input and obstacles faced so far.
Mayor Sutiaji also advised that regardless of the level of PPKM, the most important thing is the strict implementation of health protocols. This is to anticipate indications of an increase in Covid-19 or a third wave of the pandemic which is predicted to occur in December 2021 and/or January 2022. In this context, explained the bespectacled man, it is possible that new virus variants will emerge from previous virus mutations, such as Beta and Delta.
Furthermore, Sutiaji said that currently there are new variants, namely MU and C.1.2 which could be a threat. "By working together, we from the Forkopimda ranks believe that all of this can be anticipated and even prevented so that this outbreak does not get worse. The key is the strict implementation of health protocols so that this outbreak will pass quickly," said the number one person in the Malang City Government.
It should be noted that so far the implementation of mass vaccination has been intensified by a number of parties such as the TNI, Polri, communities, and agencies. The vaccination achievement or residents who have been vaccinated is more than 90 percent. "However, we should not be careless and continue to implement health protocols so that the pandemic ends soon and life returns to normal," he concluded. (say/ram)
