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Home Ministry issues three instructions as restrictions continue
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has decided to extend the implementation of the multi-tiered mobility restrictions (PPKM) until Aug. 2.
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Nothing changes: The regulation over Jakarta’s daily traffic during the Social Restriction Level 4 will be the same with the previous one under the Emergency Social Restriction. (Antara Foto/Indrianto Eko Suwarso)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has decided to extend the implementation of the multi-tiered mobility restrictions (PPKM) until Aug. 2. Home Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian issued three Home Ministry instructions following the President’s announcement, namely Home Ministry Instruction No. 24/2021 on COVID-19 PPKM levels 3 and 4 in Java and Bali, Home Ministry Instruction No.25/2021 on COVID-19 PPKM level 4 in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku and Papua, and Home Ministry Instruction No. 26/2021 on PPKM levels 1, 2 and 3 and the optimalization of command posts in villages and subdistricts to control the spread of COVID-19.
“The substances of these three instructions have been jointly deliberated by a team of experts from several ministries, the Maritime Affairs and Investment Ministry, Coordinating Economic Ministry, Health Ministry and the COVID-19 Task Force chief,” Tito, who is a former National Police chief, told a press conference on Monday.
He added that Instruction No.24/2021 would be applied in seven provinces and 95 level 4 regencies/mayoralties and 33 level 3 regencies/mayoralties. Instruction No.25/2021 would be applied in 21 provinces and 45 level 4 regencies/mayoralties. Instruction No.25 was issued to mitigate the case surge in regions outside Java and Bali. Regions outside these categories have been asked to tighten monitoring and alert levels through the command posts at villages and subdistrict levels, as ordered by Instruction No.26/2021.
“In total, there are 276 regencies/mayoralties in level 3 category and 64 level 2 regencies/mayoralties,” Tito said. He expected regional leaders would then meet with relevant stakeholders to coordinate and deliberate technical actions and policies such as issuing circular letters or governor/regent/mayor instructions.
“More specific regulations are expected but still in harmony with the minister’s instructions.” Tito added. Tito said Instruction No.24/2021 also regulated micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These vendors are allowed to open their businesses until 8 p.m. local time under strict health protocols. Technical regulations on MSMEs would be issued by the regional administrations.
Tito said street food or small and medium-scale food vendors were allowed to provide dine-in under several conditions; only a maximum of three customers are allowed to dine-in at one time, they must dine under tight health protocols and only for 20 minutes. Cafes, restaurants and other upscale eateries that stand alone or are located inside shopping malls will not be allowed to serve diners in the restaurants and may only provide takeaways. Tito expected the current restrictions would be effective in reducing COVID-19 bed occupancy rates (BORs), as well as the death toll.
“If the restrictions are effective, then we can move together and set a new goal to lower the level of the restriction. By doing this, we could provide more space for many activities, including business activities,” Tito said.
Soaring COVID-19 cases have also been recorded in many countries like Thailand, Vietnam and even countries that have been considered successful in handling the virus spread such as Australia, Singapore and European countries like the United Kingdom. However, according to academics and physicians, those who have been vaccinated will suffer less and have a better chance of recovery from COVID-19 than those who have not been vaccinated.
