Coronavirus: Indonesia capital Jakarta gets tough on social distancing rules
- ‘Large-scale social restrictions’ will take effect on Friday for an initial period of two weeks. Authorities have refused to call the move a lockdown
- Under the new plan, companies will be required to allow employees to work from home and gatherings of more than five people will be banned
The Indonesian capital of Jakarta decided late on Tuesday to impose “large-scale social restrictions” to curb the spread of coronavirus, introducing limits on public activity and enforcement patrols after an alarming surge of infections.
In announcing the policy, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan told a press conference that the restrictions, which take effect on Friday, were for an initial period of two weeks, with the possibility of extension.
Over the past three weeks, Jakarta authorities have advised the public to remain at home while working, studying and praying, and to maintain physical distance from others while using public facilities.
Shopping malls have followed the advisory with temporary closures, while markets have pivoted to online sales and restaurants offer only takeaway service. Many companies, schools and universities have adopted home-based work and education practices.
“Principally, so far, Jakarta has implemented those restrictions [but] … starting April 10, we will focus on the component of enforcement,” Baswedan said.
“The restrictions shall be obeyed … Our obedience in restricting interactions will very much affect our capability to control the virus.”