Analysis of Medan City Government Management Policy in Preventing the Spread of the Covid-19 Virus

Abstract

As the economic hub of North Sumatra, the city of Medan faces significant challenges in managing the health crisis. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Medan City Government's management policies in handling Covid-19, with a focus on regulatory alignment, implementation capacity, and socio-economic impacts. The study uses a descriptive qualitative method with Edward III's Implementation theory framework. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews, field observations, and documentation studies of regional legal products.  The results of the study show a top-down and legalistic management pattern. At the formulation stage, Mayor Regulation No. 11 of 2020 has a high level of consistency (fidelity) with national regulations, but there is minimal public participation, making it less adaptive to the local economic context. At the implementation stage, the bureaucratic structure variable became a major strength through effective collaboration with the Indonesian National Armed Forces/Indonesian National Police in accelerating vaccination. However, this effectiveness was hampered by weak public risk communication and unprepared health logistics at the peak of the crisis. Overall, the management policy proved successful in suppressing the pandemic epidemiologically, but it resulted in a trade-off in the form of a significant economic contraction in the MSME sector due to the inaccuracy of the social safety net. The study recommends the need for a more participatory crisis management model and the strengthening of a responsive health logistics system.