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COVID-19: West Java to request large-scale social restrictions for Greater Bandung
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said a partial lockdown would be imposed in various locations of Greater Bandung, namely Bandung city, Bandung regency, West Bandung regency, Cimahi city and Sumedang regency.
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Medical workers take blood samples while conducting rapid tests for COVID-19 at Bandung City Hall Park in Bandung, West Java, on April 4. (Antara/Novrian Arbi)
T
he West Java administration is reviewing requests for large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) to be imposed in Greater Bandung that will be submitted to the Health Ministry following the approval of such measures in several areas of the province that border Jakarta.
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said a partial lockdown would be imposed in various locations of Greater Bandung, namely Bandung city, Bandung regency, West Bandung regency, Cimahi city and Sumedang regency.
“We can send the letter after reviewing Bogor, Depok and Bekasi. The process is getting better, faster and more disciplined,” Ridwan said after holding a video conference in Bandung on Sunday.
Although the implementation of such restrictions in Greater Bandung was not urgent, Ridwan said, the request would be sent to Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto, who has the authority to approve PSBB status, by no later than next Thursday.
Ridwan previously sent a request for PSBB status to be declared in Bogor, Depok and Bekasi, after restrictions were imposed in Jakarta on Friday. The cities are part of Greater Jakarta, which has become the country’s epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Health Minister Terawan approved the implementation of PSBB in Bogor, Depok and Bekasi on Saturday, with the restrictions set to begin next Wednesday and last for 14 days.
Ridwan said the implementation of PSBB in the satellite cities of Jakarta would be divided into two zones, as part of the population was spread out across villages.
“For red zones in certain subdistricts, a maximum PSBB will apply. In non-red zones, the PSBB will be adjusted from minimal to medium,” Ridwan said, adding that maximum restrictions would include the closure of access to surrounding areas.
Read also: COVID-19: More regions request PSBB status as Indonesia sees big jump in infections, deaths
Ridwan requested that the regency and municipal administrations conduct large-scale inspections of factories and studies of strategic industries to inform future policy.
“After large-scale testing, regents and mayors may allow them to operate if no positive cases are found, so long as physical distancing and health protocols are in place,” Ridwan said.
Ridwan also asked all community and neighborhood heads to verify the identity of all residents in their respective areas to determine who had come other regions and to prevent them from traveling to their hometowns during the crisis.
“I order all community units in West Java, especially those in areas imposing PSBB, to report those who need assistance. If there are guests that need to be monitored, record them properly,” Ridwan said.
Ridwan said residents who were financially affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and faced difficulty accessing basic necessities should report to their local administrations or lodge a claim via the Pikobar application managed by the West Java administration.
He said data collection was aimed at enabling affected residents to access assistance from the government via programs funded by both the state and regional budgets.
The central government has launched a social aid scheme that provides assistance for low-income citizens through the Family Hope Program (PKH), basic food cards, pre-employment cards, village fund assistance and staple food distribution, among other programs.
Read also: Uneasy calm descends on empty Jakarta as capital makes it through first day of social restrictions
The West Java administration will also provide cash assistance of Rp 500,000 (US$31.8) and food supplies for affected families. “If it is still insufficient, they will be assisted by social funds from regencies and cities,” Ridwan said.
In addition, Ridwan said his administration had launched the Gasibu movement to collect donations of food.
As of Monday, West Java was the second most affected province in the country after Jakarta with 450 confirmed cases with 43 fatalities and 19 people having recovered. The administration’s Pikobar data showed that the highest number of positive cases in the province was recorded in Bandung city with 67 cases.
The West Java administration has distributed some 70,000 rapid test kits to 27 districts and cities. Ridwan said 832 people had tested positive for COVID-19 using the rapid tests and that they would undergo PCR tests.
Once PSBB status is implemented, Ridwan plans to increase COVID-19 testing throughout West Java, with a target to test 300,000 residents. (syk)
