Dr Puspa Delima Amri - COVID-19 and the Indonesian Economy

As the Covid-19 virus wreaks havoc across Indonesia, the World Bank predicts that Indonesia’s economy may shrink by as much 3.5 percent this year. The government is now pushing ahead to reopen the economy to prevent further weakening by easing restrictions in areas where infection rates are under control. How badly has the Covid-19 pandemic affected Indonesia’s economy so far, and which sectors and sections of society have been impacted the most? Is the government’s push to reopen the economy premature? What can the government do to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 while also minimizing the damage to the economy? To analyse the situation, Dr Charlotte Setijadi spoke to Dr Puspa Delima Amri, an Assistant Professor of Economics at Sonoma State University.