Police have dispersed up to 1,371 gatherings nationwide within a week since National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis issued an edict banning the public from collecting in crowds to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“This number is an accumulation of all reports coming from our regional units. We have been helped by regional administrations and the Indonesian Military when dispersing those gatherings,” National Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said in a press conference on Thursday.

In the edict, dated March 19, Idham urged the public to refrain from organizing mass gatherings in public places or private properties, including social meetings, workshops, music festivals, carnivals, sports events, fairs, mass protests and family receptions.

The police also plan to press charges against those who persist in gathering in large numbers despite the warnings. The violat...