Indonesia among best countries for pandemic handling

Cirebon, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia is one of the best countries in terms of handling the COVID-19 pandemic, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said.

Hartarto who is also chief of the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery (KPCPDEN) made the remarks while attending an event marking the anniversary of Pondok Buntet Islamic boarding school senior figures’ death in Cirebon, West Java Province, on Saturday night.

The minister said he dared to attend the event now that the COVID-19 pandemic situation could be brought under control,

He said his presence at the event suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country has improved although the weekly transmission cases have crossed five thousand.

However, compared to other countries, the weekly transmission cases can relatively be controlled and that the health protocols must continuously be implemented, he said.

“Now the situation is very different. Although five thousand people are infected per week the figure is relatively lower compared to other countries,” he said.

He said the COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate is also very good because 420 million vaccines have been administered to the people.

In fact, the vaccination coverage rate has reached 90 percent for the first doses, 80 percent for the second doses and 30 percent for the third or booster doses.

“Vaccination is good because many residents in other countries are not willing to get vaccinated,” he said.