Gov’t Issues Instruction on Activity Restrictions to Prevent COVID-19 Transmission
Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian Photo by: PR of Cabinet Seretariat
Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian on 6 January 2021 issued Instruction on the Implementation of Activity Restrictions to Control the Spread of COVID-19.
“Having observed the recent development of COVID-19 pandemic, in which several countries in the world have imposed restrictions on people’s mobility, and with the new variant of the COVID-19 virus, measures to control the pandemic are needed,” the Minister said.
To that end, the Minister has ordered several governors and regents/mayors in the islands of Java and Bali to implement restrictions on people’s activities to prevent transmission of COVID-19. The restrictions consist of:
- Implementing work from home order for 75 percent of workers and work form office policy for 25 workers and implementing more strict health protocols;
- Implementing online learning/teaching activities;
- Allowing essential sectors related to the basic needs of the people to operate 100 percent by regulating operating hours and capacity, and implementing stricter health protocols;
- Imposing restrictions on the following:
– Restaurant activities (25 percent of the capacity for dine-in). Food delivery services are still permitted in accordance with the restaurant operating hours; and
– Operating hours for shopping centers/malls (not later than 19.00 Western Indonesia Time).
- Allowing construction activities to operate 100 percent on condition that stricter health protocols are in place.
- Allowing places of worship with 50 percent of the capacity and stricter health protocols.
The Instruction also stipulates that regional leaders must intensify the implementation of health protocols (wearing a face mask, washing hands with soap or hand sanitizer, maintaining distance and avoiding crowds) strengthen tracking capabilities, tracing system and management, as well as improve health facilities.
The instruction also states that all governors and regents/mayors must optimize the COVID-19 Task Force at province, regency/city to village levels.
“In handling and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, the village budget can be used in an accountable, transparent and responsible manner,” the Minister said.
For the record, the Government has previously announced it will implement 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 restrictions will apply to the entire capital Jakarta, Bogor Regency, the cities of Depok and Bekasi, Bekasi Regency, West Java capital of Bandung, West Bandung Regency, and Cimahi Regency, the city of Tangerang, Tangerang Regency, 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. (PR of Ministry of Home Affairs/UN) (RI/EP)
