Are Indonesia’s new coronavirus measures strict enough to curb the Delta-variant surge?
- As the islands of Java and Bali go into lockdown, experts say the restrictions should be more comprehensive
- The country has reported around 20,000 cases per day since June 24, pushing its health care system to the breaking point
Experts point out that the emergency public activity restrictions, or “PPKM Darurat”, that come into effect from July 3-20 do not cover the entire nation, and the government is still allowing all employees in critical sectors and those based in less affected regions to work from offices. Indonesia has reported around 20,000 new cases per day since June 24.
“In the worst-case scenario, with no proper lockdown, I predict up to 500,000 daily coronavirus cases between July and August, and around 2,000 daily deaths,” said epidemiologist Dicky Budiman from Australia’s Griffith University.
He also predicted that the current wave would peak by the end of this month, and subside by the end of September.
This is not the first time Indonesia has implemented strict social-distancing rules – similar measures were put in place from March to June last year before the country took a “new normal” approach to the pandemic in a bid to give the economy a shot in the arm.