Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Gresik Get Green Lights to Impose Large-scale Social Restrictions

map of regions that imposed large-scale social restrictions. (Photo by: National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB))

To date, two provinces and 21 regencies/cities in Indonesia have imposed large-scale social restrictions (locally known as PSBB) as part of the mitigation efforts to tackle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Force.

The city of Surabaya and the regencies of Sidoarjo and Gresik in East Java province are among the latest regency/city approved for the PSBB by Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto based on Decree of Minister of Health Number HK.01.07/Menkes/264/2020 on 21 April 2020.

For the record, the three regions have reported a significant spike and a rapid spread of COVID-19 cases; thus, the PSBB must be imposed to accelerate the handling.

The decision was also made based on an epidemiologic study by taking into account the preparedness of regions in social, economic, as well as other aspects.

“Following review from our technical team, we have approved the proposal to impose the PSBB in the city of Surabaya and the regencies of Sidoarjo and Gresik. The PSBB can now be enforced,” Terawan said in Jakarta, Tuesday (21/4).

Following the decision, regional governments in those three regions are obliged to enforce the restrictions and to promote a clean and healthy lifestyle to the public.

The PSBB is imposed during the longest incubation period and may be extended if the spread of virus still persists. (Ministry of Health PR/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany S
Reviewed by:  M. Ersan Pamungkas