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COVID-19 checkpoints create Jakarta gridlock
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Police officers divert motorists at a checkpoint at the Senayan traffic circle in South Jakarta on Saturday. The government has imposed emergency public activity restrictions (PPKM Darurat) on Java and Bali until July 20 to stem a severe wave of COVID-19 cases. (Antara/M. Risyal Hidayat)
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number of arterial roads in Jakarta saw heavy traffic and congestion on the first Monday of the government’s emergency public activity restrictions (PPKM Darurat), as checkpoints installed throughout the capital reduced mobility.
In place on Java and Bali since Saturday, the new restrictions aim to curb a severe wave of COVID-19 cases by limiting public mobility using checkpoints and roadblocks; requiring workers in nonessential sectors to work from home; and closing malls, parks and other public spaces.
Vehicles on Jl. Salemba Raya in Central Jakarta were locked in a traffic jam from Monday morning until midday as a checkpoint on Jl. Kramat Raya obstructed the flow of traffic.
Traffic on Jl. Lenteng Agung Raya in South Jakarta ground to a halt early in the morning, forcing officials to temporarily lift the checkpoint barrier to alleviate traffic, Kompas.com reported.
To enforce PPKM Darurat, the police have set up at least 63 checkpoints in Jakarta, including at toll gates and the borders of the city. Checkpoints were also set up at the Senayan traffic circle, Semanggi, the Hotel Indonesia (HI) traffic circle and the Harmoni intersection to limit intracity mobility.
Read also: Emergency mobility restrictions now in full effect
Jakarta’s satellite cities of South Tangerang, Tangerang and Bogor have also set up checkpoints along their borders with the capital.
