Gov’t Issues Large Scale Social Distancing Policy

President Jokowi chairs an online Cabinet Meeting at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Tuesday (31/3). Photo by: PR/Ibrahim

The Government has officially declared public health emergency for the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and issued a large scale social distancing policy.

“To overcome the impacts of the outbreak, I have decided in a Cabinet Meeting that the option we choose is a large-scale social distancing or PSBB,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said in an online press conference aired from the Bogor Presidential Palace, Tuesday (31/3).

According to the President, in accordance with the prevailing law the large-scale social distancing policy should be implemented by Minister of Health in coordination with Chairperson of the COVID-19 Task Force as well as regional leaders.

“The legal base for the policy is Law Number 6 of 2018 on Quarantine. The Government has also issued Government Regulation (PP) on Large-Scale Social Distancing and Presidential Decree (Keppres) on Declaration of Public Health Emergency to implement provisions of the Law,” President Jokowi said, adding that the Government Regulation will ensure that policies implemented in the regions can be well-coordinated.

“All policies in the regions must comply with prevailing laws and regulations, including the (said) law, the Government Regulation and the Presidential Decree. The Indonesian National Police (Polri) is allowed to take proportional law enforcement measures in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations so that the large scale social distancing can be effective to prevent the spread of the outbreak,” the President added.

Lesson learned from other countries, the President added, shows that Indonesia cannot imitate all policies implemented in other countries as every country has its own characteristics.

“There are differences in terms of area, population, discipline, geographical condition, character and culture, economy of the people, physical capabilities, and other factors. Therefore, we must be careful in formulating strategies and everything must be meticulously calculated,” the President said, adding that the priority of the Government’s policy is abundantly clear, namely to protect the people from the disease.

“Therefore, the spread of COVID-19 must be controlled and the patients should be treated. We also provide social safety net for the the underprivileged people so they can meet basic needs and maintain purchasing power. We should also protect business sector, particularly micro, small, and medium businesses to continue operating and maintain employment,” President Jokowi added.

The President also pointed out that the Government has prepared policies for all situations.

“The civil emergency policy will be implemented should abnormal conditions occur, but the existing situation does not need (the civil emergency policy),” the President added.

“Therefore, I hope that provinces, regencies and cities can coordinate with Chairperson of the COVID-19 Task Force because all of us have the same rules, namely the law and the newly-enacted Government Regulation and Presidential Decree,” the President said. (UN/EN).

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas