AmCham Update
AmCham Update Vol. 2 #70
Testing Down, Cases Down, PPKM Continues, ADB Lowers Regional Forecast
Jul 21, 2021 | AmCham Indonesia

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Covid Testing Fell 68% in 3 Days

Total Covid-19 tests (PCR, TCM, and antigen) fell 68.73 percent in the three days from July 18 to 20, with 138,046 on July 18; 127,461 on July 19; and 114,674 on July 20. This is lower than the previous three days: 185,321 on July 15; 179,216 on July 16; and 188,551 on July 17. 

The reduced number of tests coincided with a sharp fall in the number of daily new cases – from 56,757 on July 15 to 34,257 on July 19 – while the positivity rate saw a slight increase from 29.43 percent for July 15-17 to 30.89 percent for July 18-20, still very far above the World Health Organization (WHO) positivity rate threshold of 5 percent.

Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito said the decline in testing was due to a lower number of tests conducted on weekends, and delays in inputting data from laboratories to the data system. He said the government is committed to ramping up testing, tracing, and treatment to keep the pandemic in check. 

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Indonesian Covid-19 Deaths Second Highest in the World Now

The 1,280 Covid-19 deaths in Indonesia during Idul Adha yesterday, July 20, was the second-highest in the world after Brazil with 1,303, reaching a total of 76,200 here since the beginning of the pandemic.

On a positive note, there were 33,772 new daily cases today, July 21, as the figure continued to fall. There were 32,867 new recovered patients, reaching 2.3 million since the pandemic began. While new daily cases are decreasing, the 153,330 tests conducted today increased from yesterday’s 114,674. In general, the more testing that takes place, the higher the number of reported cases.

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Emergency PPKM Extended to July 25, then Who Knows?

President Joko Widodo has extended PPKM Darurat (emergency) until July 25, and renamed it PPKM Level 4. In a press conference yesterday, July 20, President Widodo said the decision was taken after new daily cases and hospital bed occupancy decreased during the two weeks of emergency PPKM. He also said the government would gradually relax the restrictions starting July 26 if the situation continues to improve.

The new program name and the legal basis for the extension have been enshrined in the Ministry of Home Affairs Instruction 22/2021. Despite the name change, the regulation stays the same, except for provisions on work from home for essential sectors. Workers in the financial sector whose positions are related to community services can work from the office with a maximum capacity of 50 percent, while those who are in administrative positions will be limited to 25 percent. The stock market, information technology, and non-Covid hospitality services are required to apply 50 percent work from home. Export-oriented industries can operate within the capacity of 50 percent for on-site staff and 10 percent for administrative staff.

Related links:

Ministry of Home Affairs Instruction No. 22 of 2021


ADB Lowers Regional Growth Outlook as Pandemic Continues

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered its economic growth forecast to 7.2 percent for developing Asian countries this year, from its 7.3 percent forecast in April. The growth forecast for 2022 has increased from 5.3 percent to 5.4 percent.

ADB's main economic report, Asian Development Outlook 2021, which was released in April, has been supplemented with new estimates for the region's economies and inflation levels amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

ADB Chief Economist Yasuyuki Sawada said renewed outbreaks, new virus variants, and uneven vaccine rollouts were challenges faced by Asia in its path towards economic recovery. A progressive and strategic renewal of economic activities, for example in trade, manufacturing, and tourism, will be critical to ensuring a green, inclusive, and resilient recovery, he said.

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Gov't Prepares Rp 7 Trillion for Social Assistance Programs

The Ministry of Social Affairs has prepared Rp 7.08 trillion to implement a number of social assistance programs (bansos) to reduce the impact of mobility restriction policies. The most recent move aims to provide assistance to 5.9 million beneficiary families. The assistance amounts to Rp 200,000 per family through July-December 2021.

The ministry has also distributed 5 kg of rice assistance to informal sector workers affected by the emergency PPKM in Java and Bali. The recipients are food stall owners, street vendors, ojek drivers, casual workers, day laborers, contract employees, and those who cannot work due to the restrictions. The ministry has also partnered with the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) to distribute 10kg of rice for households enrolled in existing programs such as the Family Hope Program (PKH), cash social assistance (BST), and non-cash food assistance (BPNT). 

The Ministry of Social Affairs has prepared a total of 2,010 tons of rice, with 122 districts/cities receiving 3,000 packages (weighing 5kg per package) and 6,000 packages (5kg/package) for six provincial capitals.

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Tougher Checks to Counter Fake Vaccine Cards

With the rise of fake vaccination certificates being sold online, the Covid-19 Task Force is tightening inspections and utilizing online verification by matching the data in the certificate with PCR and vaccination data from the Ministry of Health. This upgraded verification system started at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Monday, July 19.

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AmCham Cares: PwC

Climate change may be the most pressing issue facing our world today. It is in the interests of everyone that we see the systemic change that averts climate catastrophe and unlocks the potential of green growth.

PwC believes the business community has a key role to play in making this happen and is determined to play its part. That is why it is making a worldwide, science-based commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Across its network, it has committed to reducing its total greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent, in absolute terms, by 2030. In Indonesia, this includes switching to renewable electricity, as well as making energy efficiency improvements in its offices and reducing the emissions associated with business travel.

PwC has also recently expanded its service offering in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in Indonesia. Its new global strategy, The New Equation, responds to fundamental changes in the world, with initial commitments including new ESG centers of excellence, leadership institutes, accelerated deployment of emerging technologies, and increased investment to support audit quality.

"There is a strong need for stakeholders from across society to work together. Whether it’s the pandemic, climate change, social injustice, or the digital divide, there is a growing expectation that businesses have a role to play in addressing broader societal issues. Our new strategy is about helping clients address their toughest challenges and delivering for society and the planet,” said Bob Moritz, PwC Global Chairman.


Electricity Rate Cuts Benefit 32 Million

The government will continue to provide cuts in electricity tariffs to the public and businesses until the end of the year due to the pandemic and as a way to stimulate the economy. In the first semester of this year, 32 million customers received electricity cuts. The budget for Q4 2021 will be increased to Rp 2.54 trillion from Rp 2.43 trillion in Q3 2021. State electricity company PLN said the stimulus is expected to improve productivity and increase people's purchasing power during the pandemic. 

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Get Katadata and Stay Updated on News and Trends

In this fast-paced world, it is often hard to stay informed on the latest political issues and business trends that may affect our lives. This is why Katadata’s D-insights provides the information we need on a daily basis, plus weekly and quarterly reports that summarize the trends and give background on the business, politics, markets, and energy.

Katadata D-insights offers a special rate for all AmCham members. The subscription for D-Insights are as follows:

Individual Subscriber:

Visit the link https://dinsights.katadata.co.id/account/subscribe for more details. Use the code "AMCHAM1" to get a special price for AmCham Members

Corporate Subscriber:

Up to four users with a special price at Rp 40,000,000 annually. Send names, emails, and quote “AMCHAM2” to [email protected]


Support Independent Journalism: Subscribe to The Jakarta Post

In these difficult times, our hometown English language newspaper, The Jakarta Post, is more important than ever. Given the difficulties of physical circulation and the economic slump, the Post needs to boost its online subscribers – a goal we heartily support at AmCham Indonesia. Quality English language news is vital for our businesses, our home offices, and the flow of information out of Indonesia. It is for this reason, that we are urging all of our members and readers to subscribe to JP! Information is what will help get us through this crisis. Below is information about how to sign up.

JP Premium Digital Subscription Packages

https://www.thejakartapost.com/packages

Monthly subscription – Rp 50,000

Yearly subscription – Rp 600,000


Now is the Time to Join AmCham!

Now is the Time to Join AmCham!

We offer a full slate of meetings, events, and information for our community online. But we can only do this through the support of our members. If you are not yet an AmCham member, please join now.

AmCham Indonesia is open to all companies with an interest in US business relations and we have many non-American members. We are a community and we welcome you!

Reach us at [email protected] or click below!

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AmCham Office and Events

AmCham Office and Events

The AmCham Office is on the work-from-home status and all face-to-face meetings and events have been postponed. We are having a number of meetings online using the Zoom platform. You will be notified of virtual meetings as they are scheduled.

 

 


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What is Your Company Doing on COVID-19?

Please let us know what measures your company may be taking in the form of donations and other assistance to help Indonesia during this time of confusion and concern. Contact [email protected] with your news. We would like to publicize the ways that our AmCham companies are pitching in.


Stay well

We urge you to send us press releases and other information that we can pass on to the broader AmCham community. If you have items of interest, please email material to [email protected]. Follow this link to information provided by the US Embassy

Stay safe, call a doctor if you have a high fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. Stay healthy above all else.


AmCham Update is AmCham's regular newsletter on developments related to the pandemic crisis and other issues in Indonesia. It is edited by AmCham Managing Director A Lin Neumann and written by the AmCham Staff. Paul L Goddard is the Managing Editor

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