Health Minister Signs Regulation on Guidelines to Propose Large-scale Social Restrictions amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Info graphics on large-scale social restrictions (PSBB)

Governors, regents, and mayors may propose Large-scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) on their respective regions to Minister of Health. Regions which can be proposed for PSBB are that of high case and death of Coronavirus (COVID-19), which spread rapidly and significantly to several regions.

The PSBB was regulated in Regulation of Minister of Health Number 9 of 2020 on Guidelines to Large-scale Social Restrictions in Accelerating COVID-19 Mitigation. The Ministry’s Secretary General Oscar Primadi said that the PSBB means restriction of public activities in one certain region that hits by COVID-19.

“The restrictions cover closing of schools and offices, restriction in religious activities, activities in public space and facilities, restriction in social and cultural activities, restriction of transportation mode, and other restriction concerning defense and security aspects,” he said at the Ministry’s office, Jakarta.

The PSBB is imposed during incubation period and can be extended if the virus is still spreading. Schools and offices can be closed temporary, except for offices or institutions that provide services on defense and security, public order, foods, fuel and gas, healthcare, logistics, finance, communication, industry, export and import, distribution, and other basic necessities.

Restriction in religious activities means worship and other activities will be conducted at home, attended by a limited number of family members by taking into account physical distancing. In addition, religious activities will be carried out based on laws and regulations, and fatwa (an Islamic religious decree issued by the ulema) and ruling issued by religion councils acknowledged by the Government.

Restriction of activities in public space and facilities is implemented by limiting the number of people in public space and maintaining physical distancing, unless in; a) supermarket, minimarket, traditional market, stores that sell medicines and medical equipment, staple food, basic necessities, fuel, gas, and energy; b) healthcare facilities or other facilities that provide health services; and c) public spaces and facilities that fulfill basic necessities of the people, including in sports.

Restriction in social and cultural activities is conducted by prohibiting group of people in social and cultural activities that is based on ruling of custom institutions acknowledged by the Government and laws and regulations.

Regarding restriction of transportation mode, the exception are for: a) public or private vehicles that taking into account limitation in the number of passengers and physical distancing; and b) goods transport by taking into account the fulfillment of people’s basic necessities.

Other activities that will be exempted from restriction concerning defense and security aspects are; activities in upholding the sovereignty of the nation, maintaining the unitary of state territory by complying with physical distancing, as well as protocols and provisions of laws and regulations.

“In imposing the PSBB, regional governments must coordinate with related institutions including law enforcer officers, security officers, person in charge in healthcare facility and local logistic agency. (Public Relations of Ministry of Health/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany S
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani