Java, Bali to be Under PSBB Next Week as COVID-19 Cases Rise
Minister of Health, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Chairperson of COVID-19 Task Force deliver statements in a press conference at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (06/01). Photo by: PR/Rahmat
The Government has announced that it will implement yet another large-scale social restriction (known as PSBB) on 11-25 January in the islands of Java and Bali that have seen a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.
“The Government will impose the restrictions on 11-25 January and will continue to evaluate the measure,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said after the Limited Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (06/01).
According to Airlangga, who also helms the Committee for COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery, the restrictions will be imposed in provinces, regencies, and cities that meet one of the predetermined criteria, namely:
– The death rate is above the national average (3 percent),
– The recovery rate is below the national average (82 percent),
– The active case rate is above the national average (14 percent),
– The hospital bed occupancy rate (BOR) for ICU and isolation rooms are above 70 percent.
Airlangga also said that the policy had been elaborated during a virtual meeting attended by all governors across Indonesia, adding that the restrictions include:
- Work from home policy for 75 percent of the workers is imposed with strict health protocols.
- Teaching and learning activities are carried out online.
- Essential sectors related to basic needs are allowed to operate with regulated operating hours and capacity.
- Restrictions are imposed on the opening hours of shopping centers.
- Construction activities are allowed to operate 100 percent with the implementation of stricter health protocols.
- Places of worship are allowed to operate with 50% of maximum capacity and with stricter health protocols.
- Public facilities and socio-cultural activities are temporarily closed.
- Capacity and operating hours of the modes of transportation are also regulated.
Airlangga also pointed out that bed occupancy rate in capital Jakarta Province and in the provinces of Banten, West Java, Central Java, and Yogyakarta is above 70 percent with active cases above the national average and the recovery rate below the national average.
In the meantime, in East Java province, bed occupancy rate is above 70 percent with mortality rate above the national average, he added.
The restrictions, the Minister added, will apply to the entire capital Jakarta, and several cities and regencies in West Java province, Bogor Regency, the cities of Depok and Bekasi, Bekasi Regency, West Java capital of Bandung, West Bandung Regency, and Cimahi Regency.
He added that the restrictions would also be in place in the city of Tangerang, Tangerang Regency, and the city of South Tangerang in Banten Province, Greater Semarang area, Greater Solo area, and Greater Banyumas area in Central Java Province, Gunung Kidul Regency, Sleman Regency, and Kulon Progo Regency in Yogyakarta Province, Greater Malang area and Greater Surabaya area in East Java Province), as well as the city of Denpasar and Badung Regency in Bali Province.
Airlangga further said that the Government and all relevant stakeholders would closely supervise the implementation of health protocols that include maintaining distance, washing hands, and wearing a face mask. (FID/UN) (RI/EP)
