Just a couple of weeks into the new semester, 90 schools throughout Jakarta had to shut temporarily after students and teachers tested positive for COVID-19.
Jakarta Vice Governor Ahmad Riza “Ariza” Patria made the announcement yesterday, going by data last updated on Jan. 22.
“There were 90 schools where positive cases from face-to-face learning were detected,” he said.
From the 90 schools, 120 students tested positive, followed by nine teachers and six supporting staff.
East Jakarta has the highest number of affected schools with 42, followed by South Jakarta with 31.
Most transmissions had occurred at high schools, which represent 30 of the 90 closed schools.
Jakarta is observing Level 2 of the Enforcement of Restrictions on Public Activities (PPKM) protocol, which allows for schools to conduct full face-to-face learning. However, schools must shut temporarily if students or staff test positive for COVID-19.
Schools in regions observing Levels 3 or 4 PPKM must conduct a hybrid of face-to-face learning and online learning.
Indonesia recorded 4,878 COVID-19 cases on Jan. 25 — the year’s highest thus far — and the daily infections count is expected to rise as Omicron proliferates.
