he Jakarta administration has collected around Rp 4 billion (US$271,000) in fines from residents violating COVID-19 health protocols under Gubernatorial Regulation No. 51/2020, which entered into force on June 4.
The regulation relaxes the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) put in place earlier but at the same time stipulates fines for violations as more businesses were allowed to resume operations.
The health protocols mandate wearing face masks in public, avoiding gatherings and maintaining a distance of 1 meter from others.
Jakarta Public Order Agency head Arifin said almost half of the total fines collected came from people failing to wear masks in public places, making this the predominant violation.
He claimed the punishment had eventually increased people’s awareness to protect their health. “More and more people use face masks today. They are getting more disciplined,” Arifin said on Wednesday, as quoted by kompas.com.
During the period of eased PSBB, Jakarta is gradually opening workplaces, public places, places of worship and more in the hope of reviving economic activity. The move, however, seems to have backfired following the emerge of new coronavirus clusters in the capital.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Jakarta has recorded a total of 42,041 confirmed cases of COVID-19, more than any other of the country’s 34 provinces. The death toll, meanwhile, has reached 1,231. (vny)
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