Indonesia’s Re‑Open Plan: 70% Vaccinated, Borders in sight
Jakarta, Indonesia – A bold pivot toward normalcy: by November, the archipelago will start letting foreigners foot through its gates, provided 70% of a 208‑million‑strong target pop has had at least the first jab. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin laid it out in a chat with Reuters on September 14.
The Strategy: First Dose First
- Modelled after Britain’s rollout: focus on the first shot, lower hospital stays, and fewer fatalities.
- Goal: 140‑150 million needles administered to hit 70% of the 208 million target.
- Timeframe: He reckons the 70% mark will clear the boat by November.
“We’ll gradually open the gates,” Budi said. “First dose matters, then the second dose tightens the safety net.”
Who Gets In?
Right now, only folks with diplomatic or working visas—and a handful of exempted cases—are allowed to cross Indonesian lines. The rest will wait, slowly.
Keep Going after the First 70%
Budi said the door will swing wider once 70% of the target get two doses. That’s a move on the horizon, pending the push of the army and police to keep the queue moving.
Balinese Beach Patrol
Cabinet chatter hints at the resort island of Bali reopening, though no date has been pinned down yet.
Stats & Stats…
- Cumulative: 4.1 million cases, 139,000 deaths.
- Positivity curve: fell from 31% in July to 2% as of Tuesday.
- Social easing: malls, restaurants, cinemas, and factories now running at restricted capacity.
Revving the Vaccination Engine
Indonesia lags with a mere 25% of its target already vaccinated. Budi’s plan involves:
- Doubling dose output to 2 million shots per day.
- Deploying 300,000 midwives from the national family planning arm to speed up the process.
- Partnering with the army and police to sun‑rise the distribution front.
It’s a hefty squeeze—aiming for >140 million people double‑dosed by next March.
Global Ranking
Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous nation. When it comes to first doses, it sits sixth after China, the U.S., India, Brazil, and Japan.
Uncertainties Ahead
Budi warned there’s no guarantee the pandemic won’t spike again. “It’s tricky to predict,” he mused.
Bottom line: The country’s road to reopening hinges on vaccinating most of its population, but if the plan rocks, the world might just see Indonesia’s borders open wider than a champion’s title belt.
