Public Discipline Key to Reducing COVID-19 Cases: Presidential Spokesperson

Presidential Instruction Number 6 of 2020

Public awareness and discipline in implementing health protocols is the key to reducing the spread of COVID-19, Presidential Spokesperson for Legal Affairs Dini Purwono said.

According to Dini, Presidential Instruction Number 6 of 2020 on Improved Discipline and Law Enforcement of Health Protocols in the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 issued on 4 August 2020 is addressed to Cabinet Ministers, the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National police (Polri) and local government officials.

The presidential instruction is also expected to enable the officials to take actions in enforcing health protocols according to their respective duties and functions, she added.

Issuance of the Presidential Instruction, she added, came following lack of public awareness in implementing health protocols.

It also serves as proof that the Government is paying a serious attention to reduce the spread of COVID-19, she said.

Data from Ministry of Home Affairs as of 14 September shows that 394 regencies / cities have completed regional regulations, 52 regencies / cities are in the process of completing the regional regulations, and 68 regencies/cities have yet to complete the regulations.

“The Central Government has called on local governments to immediately finalize regulations regarding the obligation to comply with health protocols in the regions so that “Operasi Yustisi” or strict inspection can be carried out immediately. Efforts to enforce discipline must be massively made in all regions for effective results,” she said.

The Government, Dini added, also called on the public not to interpret Operasi Yustisi as part of repressive measures, particularly in its implementation given that the Government also involves community organizations, religious leaders, and community leaders to help enforce health protocols.

“Under the Presidential Instruction, sanctions are only imposed on those who flout the health protocols and may be in the forms of verbal/written warnings, fines, social work, or temporary suspension/closure of business operations,” she said. (Presidential Spokesperson for Legal Affairs/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas