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New relaxed COVID-19 restrictions lead to more cases, protocol violations
Experts say the latest public activity restrictions (PPKM) imposed in Java and Bali are less stringent than other COVID-19 restrictions imposed by authorities.
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Around 2,000 individuals undergo a speedy trial for minor criminal offenses of violating health protocols at Sidoarjo Indoor Tennis Court in East Java on Jan. 28, 2021. Most of the violators were punished with Rp 100,000 (US$7.09) fines. (Antara/Umarul Faruq)
T
he government has eased the latest COVID-19 restrictions in the country’s most populous areas, but data show that the relaxations have led to more COVID-19 cases and health protocol violations.
The government has extended its public activity restrictions (PPKM) for another two weeks in 77 cities and regencies across Java and Bali, from Jan. 26 to Feb. 8, with the restrictions being less stringent than previously.
For example, the operational hours for public places such as shopping malls and restaurants are extended to 8 p.m. During the previous period of PPKM between Jan. 11 and 25, malls and restaurants were only allowed to serve dine-in customers until 7 p.m.
During the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) that were implemented extensively across the archipelago in April last year, restaurants were banned from providing dine-in services and only allowed to provide take away and delivery services.
Meanwhile, places of worship are allowed to open at 50 percent of visitor capacity – in contrast to being closed for all activities during the PSBB.
Authorities also only allowed offices of nonessential businesses to operate if they could obtain a permit from the Industry Ministry during the PSBB. Offices are allowed to operate as long as they impose a work-from-home policy for at least 75 percent of their employees during the current PPKM.
Read also: ‘Wrong’ strategy brings Indonesia closer to 1 million COVID-19 cases
