Solo, Central Java Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo expressed his support for the government’s plan to lift public activity restrictions (PPKM) on account of the well-controlled COVID-19 situation in the country.

“Two weeks after Christmas and New Year holidays, if there is no significant increase, we should consider lifting it (PPKM),” Pranowo said while visiting Keluarga Allah Church in Kepatihan Kulon Solo on Saturday.

According to him, the current COVID-19 variant has weaker transmissibility compared to previous variants.

“The transmissibility is not that high. In the death cases, I checked that that they had comorbidities,” he said.

However, he asked the public not to let their guard down against COVID-19.

“We should always control crowded (places), but the (PPKM regulations) should be revoked if the condition is good,” he said.

Furthermore, he asked the public to comply with the health protocols enforced during the Christmas period.

“The capacity (of church attendance) is adjusted; the pandemic is not over yet, so the health protocol must be maintained,” Pranowo said.

So far, all churches have prepared a health protocol flow with the help of the local government, police, and National Defense Forces (TNI), with applicable standard operating procedures, he noted.

“When religious people celebrate their day, all people nderek mangayubagyo (support each other). It is a joyfully shared happiness,” the governor said.

Earlier, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin said that the PPKM would be lifted based on a study of the situation following the Christmas and New Year holidays.

According to Amin, if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to fall after the Christmas and New Year holidays, the government can end PPKM implementation. Currently, all regions in Indonesia are implementing Level 1 PPKM.

Based on the task force’s report, Indonesia’s COVID-19 pandemic situation is under control, as reflected by people’s activities, which have reached pre-pandemic levels.

Source: Antara News