Jakarta is set to enforce the central government’s Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) protocol for at least 14 days starting April 10. With many in the capital wondering if there’s actually any substantial difference between PSBB and the social distancing measures we’ve (hopefully) been observing, Governor Anies Baswedan yesterday explained in broad terms what’s in store for the next couple of weeks.
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While that sounds like the Jakarta of the past month, Anies said the administration is going to step up enforcement of the protocol with the help of police and the military, who will be conducting regular patrols.
“So what we’re implementing on April 10 has an enforcement component. We are drafting regulations that have the legal mandate to order citizens to follow the protocol,” Anies said during a press conference at City Hall yesterday evening, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
Anies added that authorities will “act sternly” against PSBB violators, though it’s not clear yet at this point what sanctions, if any, they would face.
So what’s allowed and what’s not during PSBB? Here are the main points highlighted by Anies during the press conference yesterday:
- No crowds of more than 5 people
- Work from home and study from home measures still apply
- Houses of worship must be closed
- Social and cultural events prohibited
- All public recreational facilities, including parks, museums, and sports centers will be closed
- All workplaces and business must close except those in the following sectors: health, food and beverage supply, energy, communications, finance and banking, logistics, retail, and strategic industries
- Grocery stores/supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, media offices, charity organizations, and the stock market are allowed to remain operational
- Public transportation in the city will only run from 6am to 6pm
- Private vehicles still permissible in the city
- App-based motorcycle taxis prohibited from transporting passengers; transporting goods and delivering food still permissible
- Movement in or out of the city will not be restricted
- Wedding receptions are banned; low-key weddings at the Religious Affairs Office (KUA) still permissible
- Funerals of non-COVID-19 patients allowed to be attended by up to 20 people
The PSBB protocol will be effective from April 10-24, though it may be extended if the government deems that there is still a substantial spread of the coronavirus in the capital.
As of April 7, 1,369 people have been confirmed to have COVID-19 in Jakarta, 106 of whom have died while 65 have recovered. Nationwide, Indonesia has confirmed 2,738 COVID-19 cases, with 204 recoveries and 221 deaths.
