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Case spike leads to curbs in Java, Bali
Indonesia reimposes and expands social restrictions but experts say measures too little, too late.
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A man not properly wearing his face mask passes a banner for a face mask-wearing campaign displayed at Depok City Hall in West Java on Wednesday.
West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil has announced that Depok and Karawang are on high alert for the spread of COVID -19. (Antara/Asprilla Dwi Adha)
W
ith the country facing a resurgence of coronavirus cases, recording its highest daily rise in infections ever with 8,854 cases on Wednesday, the government has announced a plan to impose stricter social restrictions throughout Java and Bali islands.
Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto announced after a limited Cabinet meeting with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Wednesday that the government would further limit public activities of more than 140 million people on the two islands from Jan. 11 to 25. “This is not a ban but a restriction on public activities,” the minister said after the meeting.
The announcement came as the country was preparing to commence its mass inoculation drive and as dozens of countries around the world were imposing new rounds of lockdowns amid resurging cases partly triggered by a new and more contagious variant of the virus.
The social restrictions will be imposed in certain provinces, regencies and cities in accordance with a 2020 government regulation outlining partial lockdown measures, known as large-scale social restrictions (PSBB), as stipulated under the 2018 Health Quarantine Law.
The Home Ministry will soon issue a circular ordering all regional leaders to determine areas that meet the criteria for the restrictions: a fatality rate above the national average of 3 percent, a recovery rate below the national average of 82 percent, active cases above the national average of 14.2 percent and hospital filling above 70 percent.
“All provinces in Java and Bali have met one of the four established parameters,” Airlangga said.
The restriction measures will include a work from home policy for 75 percent of workers, online learning, reduced capacity and operational hours for shopping centers, restaurants, public transportation and places of worship and a halt on social and cultural activities. The government will also deploy security personnel to ensure the implementation of health protocols.
