East Java governor extends public apology if COVID-19 handling unsatisfactory

Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA) - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa apologized to the local people if handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the province had failed to match public expectations.

"On behalf of the East Java provincial government, I offer an apology if the public has not been satisfied with the handling of COVID-19 in East Java," Parawansa stated on her personal Instagram account @khofifah.ip on Tuesday night.

According to Parawansa, the East Java provincial government was sentient of the wide-ranging impacts of the extended emergency public activity restrictions (PPKM) on the public.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo had declared that the emergency PPKM, initially planned to end on July 20, had been extended until July 25, 2021.

"Insya Allah (God willing), if (the curve of) fresh COVID-19 cases continues to flatten, the government will gradually ease (the emergency PPKM), starting from July 26, 2021," the president stated.

In view of a drastic spike in the number of coronavirus disease cases, the government has imposed emergency PPKM on the islands of Java and Bali from July 3 to July 20, 2021.

Parawansa remarked that the provincial government, along with the district and city leadership communication forums across the province, will leave no stone unturned to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission as well as expedite the vaccination drive up to remote areas.

The governor made an earnest request to the public to adhere to all regulations during the enforcement of emergency PPKM, remain disciplined in following health protocols, and get vaccinated at the earliest.

"I urge all people of East Java to stay spirited. The executive boards of neighborhood associations and community groups (RT/RW) should stay resolute on the frontlines to serve residents, particularly those conducting self-isolation," she affirmed.

"May Allah SWT alleviate our burden, open the door to solve the problem, and protect us all and the Indonesian nation," Parawansa stated.

East Java registered the third-largest number of daily COVID-19 cases, reaching 5,654, below Jakarta that recorded 6,213 cases and West Java clocking the highest at 6,928 cases on Tuesday.

However, East Java recorded the highest cumulative death toll at 16,463, followed by Central Java at 14,978, and Jakarta at 10,685 since the country reported the first confirmed COVID-19 cases in March 2020.

At the provincial level, the highest cumulative count of COVID-19 cases was recorded in Jakarta, reaching 757,525, followed by 530,806 in West Java, and 32,928 in Central Java.

Cumulatively, the highest recovery count was recorded in Jakarta at 652,242, followed by 652,207 in West Java and 253,479 in Central Java.