Jakarta Extends PSBB Until 22nd May 2020, To Attempt To Curb The Rise Of COVID-19 Cases

Jakarta PSBB extension

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On 10th April 2020, Jakarta began to enforce large-scale social restrictions, or commonly referred to as PSBB, for 14 days. Despite such efforts, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases have only continued to rise at an alarming rate. As of 22nd April 2020, 7,418 cases have been reported nationwide, with 3,383 of them found in Jakarta alone. 

Last week, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan hinted at a likely extension of PSBB. On Wednesday, 22nd April 2020, he officially announced its second round will last from 24th April to 22nd May.

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Jakarta PSBB to continue from 24th April to 22nd May

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Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan
Image adapted from: cnbcindonesia.com

At the time of writing, Jakarta is on the 13th day of PSBB. With the last day of the first round of social restrictions coinciding with the start of Ramadan, the usually lively month will be very different this year. 

In Governor Anies’s official announcement on 22nd April 2020, he strongly urged Muslims living in Jakarta to pray at home throughout Ramadan.  

During the extended PSBB period, only businesses that are deemed essential will be allowed to operate. Among them are supermarkets, pharmacies, logistics services, and banking and insurance services.

People in non-essential sectors will continue to work from home, and schools and universities will proceed with online classes.

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Mudik restrictions to and from red zones begin on 24th April

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COVID-19 updates as of 22nd March 2020
Image credit: covid19.go.id

In addition to the month-long second phase of PSBB in Jakarta, mudik, or the Idul Fitri (Eid al-Fitr) tradition of going back to one’s hometown, to and from red zones will be banned starting 24th April 2020. 

However, despite the planned implementation of such restrictions, roads will not be closed and public transportation will continue to run. 

The ban has been criticized for being enforced too late as many local authorities have suspected local COVID-19 cases to have been transmitted from people returning before the announcement. But with the new restrictions in place, the number of cases will hopefully taper off soon.

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Stay at home if possible

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The prolonged quarantine may be causing tremendous psychological and financial distress, especially since the number of cases across Indonesia has not ceased to climb. With hospitals being extremely overwhelmed, the only thing we can do right now is to stay at home as much as our condition allows.

Read more articles:

• Sragen Regency to quarantine people in “haunted houses”
• Bali officials shoo beachgoers away on a tractor
• Get groceries online with the “Chat & Shop” feature

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Cover image adapted from: @andriandf

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