COVID-19: THE ISSUE OF POLICIES AND ITS IMPLICATION FOR EASTERN INDONESIA

As in other countries, the incidence of COVID-19 and its infection rate is not the same in every area in Indonesia. In addition, the different local conditions and situations mean the policy action items often need to be adapted to these factors. This study aims to understand the impact of COVID-19 on Eastern Indonesia’s economy compared to other places in Indonesia and the contribution of their governments at provincial and district levels in terms of COVID-19 prevention and economic recovery effort. This study shows that remoteness has not excluded Eastern Indonesia from COVID-19 infection. Despite less requirement for the community to stay home, the mobility data shows that other activities such as retail, recreation, grocery shopping and park use still went down as much as in other parts of Indonesia. However, activities in workplaces dropped considerably less and allowed the economies in Eastern Indonesia to grow better than other areas during the pandemic.