Pandemic After Indonesia Recovers, Economy Rises

August is the month all Indonesians have been waiting for. A month full of fighting spirit, August is synonymous with a festive atmosphere to commemorate the celebration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. Since August 1, office buildings, schools, residential complexes have been enlivened by the installation of flags, banners, and other knick-knacks that adorn both rural and urban areas. After 2 years of Covid-19 hitting the world, especially the country of Indonesia, now people can be excited and excited again, because finally people can feel the momentum of celebrating the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia with enthusiasm. The commemoration of the 77th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence in 2022 is a very special celebration, because it coincides with the momentum of the Indonesian Presidency of the G20 Summit. Indonesia will host the G20 from December 1, 2021 to November 2022. It is an honor for Indonesia to host the G20 forum, whose benefits can be felt in the short and long term. At the 2022 G20, Indonesia carries the theme "Recover Together Recover Stronger". The same theme in celebrating the 77th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence in 2022, and echoed from Sabang to Merauke, namely "Recover Faster, Rise Stronger". The theme became a new spirit for the people of Indonesia after experiencing adversity during the pandemic. The theme reflects the determination of the Indonesian nation's unyielding fighting power in facing various challenges, including fighting the pandemic. This is evidenced by the struggle of the entire Indonesian nation in the face of Covid-19. The role and function of the government in handling and suppressing the number of Covid-19 cases can be said to be successful.

This success is also supported by all levels of Indonesian society, by implementing strict health protocols and implementing all appeals/recommendations submitted by the government. After 2 years of Covid-19 hitting the world, especially the country of Indonesia, finally the Indonesian people can rejoice, because the Covid-19 case is starting to sag. In early 2022, the government has allowed community activities outside the home while still implementing health protocols. This is confirmed by statements from the government regarding the handling of Covid-19 in Indonesia. Based on the statement of the Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, in a press statement for the Limited Meeting of PPKM Evaluation (Antara, Monday (4/4/2022), that the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia is not perfect, but conditions in Indonesia are still better than other countries. Based on the results of the antibody serological survey of the Indonesian population against the SARS-CoV-2 virus conducted in November-December 2021, as many as 86.6 percent of the Indonesian population have antibodies against Covid-19. 19 in that month. However, as the Covid-19 vaccination program continues and the implementation of strict health protocols among the community, the number of residents who have immunity to Covid-19 will continue to increase. "The government feels confident that the Indonesian people can carry out activities more efficiently. Besides that, the implementation of this year's homecoming also follows up on President Joko Widodo's directives, even Wa people are allowed to return to enjoy the month of Ramadan and be able to go home for Eid," he said. Then at a press conference at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java (Tuesday, 17/5/2022), President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) also announced that there was an easing of the policy on the use of masks outdoors. According to the President, the decision was taken after considering a number of aspects. Based on the statements and appeals conveyed by the President and all levels of the government regarding the decline in Covid-19 cases and the efforts made by the government in dealing with the pandemic, Indonesian people can breathe a sigh of relief, because in the end the pandemic will be over.

That is why people are now starting to be free to do outdoor activities and no longer wear masks. However, some people still use masks outdoors because it is more comfortable and they are used to wearing masks, it can also break the chain of transmission of the virus from people who are sick. Then when the Official Statistics News was released on Friday, August 5, 2022, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) announced that the Indonesian economy in the second quarter of 2022 grew 5.44 percent on an annual basis. Head of BPS Margo Yuwono said the positive growth occurred in line with the improving economy after the Covid-19 pandemic. “The trend of economic growth this year is persistently increasing. This continues, even if we look at the numbers it continues to increase,” he said. Furthermore, in a press statement at the Plenary Cabinet Session at the Presidential Office, Jakarta (Monday, 8/8/2022), the Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani explained, that Indonesia's economic condition in 2022 was in a good position, even reaching the level before the Covid-19 pandemic. which is seen from the amount of Gross Domestic Product in 2021-2022, as well as the APBN deficit which is considered to be still moderate. Sri Mulyani assessed that the 5.44 percent economic growth in the second quarter of 2022 was an impressive achievement. The government's performance deserves thumbs up, because the handling of Covid-19 can be suppressed and economic recovery in all sectors can be carried out well so that economic growth will gradually improve and we hope that in the future it will recover completely. If you pay attention to the views of economists, (Mankiw, 2009) economic growth is an increase in the standard of living at a certain time for most families in a country. A growing economy can be sourced from rising people's incomes which allow people to consume more and more variety.

In an economy there are various indicators to assess the performance of economic sustainability, one of which is using the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) approach. Policies and steps taken by the government in increasing economic growth in Indonesia are certainly based on theories and views of experts in the field of economics. Reviews and evaluations are carried out from time to time to look at the global and regional economy. The handling of the pandemic carried out by the government is a very extraordinary achievement, so that the Indonesian people can rise again, work together to restore the situation and conditions, especially to restore the people's economy. Even though the government has managed to handle the pandemic, there is still a lot of homework that must be done by the government at this time. The Central/Regional Government and its staff are currently working hard in making development programs to restore the economy in Indonesia. If we look at the current phenomenon, the condition of the Indonesian economy has begun to gradually improve after 2 years of the Covid-19 turmoil in Indonesia. The government and its staff should have made optimal efforts to complete the policy goals and targets during the pandemic. The hope is that in the future the pandemic will end, Indonesia can recover completely, and economic growth can increase over time. So that Indonesia will continue to advance towards the vision of an Advanced Indonesia. Indonesia Recovers Faster, Rises Stronger.