Indonesia: Jakarta extends social distancing restrictions through June 4 /update 23

Event

On Tuesday, May 19, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan announced that current social distancing restrictions (PSBB) will remain in place through Thursday, June 4, due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Under PSBB regulations, all workplaces are closed, aside from those linked to eight essential sectors including health, food, energy, and finance. Nonessential workers have been advised to work from home. All educational institutions are closed, except for training and research related to health services. Religious activities must be conducted at home with only immediate family members, instead of at places of worship. Nonessential businesses such as bars, spas, and cinemas remain closed, and public transportation limited. Gatherings of more than five people are also prohibited. Social and cultural events, including weddings, have been banned. Police patrols will also be increased to ensure compliance with the restrictions. Several of Jakarta's satellite municipalities, regencies, and other population centers including Bekasi, Bogor, Depok, Pekanbaru, and Tangerang had also implemented PSBB measures; however, it is unclear if these will also be extended.

On Thursday, May 7, authorities authorized buses, planes, ships, and trains to resume domestic passenger transportation for certain individuals following the easing of COVID-19 measures. Individuals with essential reasons to travel, including seeking medical assistance or visiting dying relatives, will be permitted to travel domestically. Civil servants, army personnel, police officers, employees of state-owned enterprises, business people, and staff of non-governmental organizations related to COVID-19 management will also be permitted to travel. Repatriation of migrant workers, students, and Indonesian citizens from abroad will also be enabled.

A ban on the Idul Fitri mudik, where large numbers of laborers return to their home villages, has been in effect for COVID-19 red zones, including Greater Jakarta, since Friday, April 24. Authorities have confirmed the ban will remain in place despite the easing of travel restrictions. Penalties for violators of the mudik ban will be enforced from Thursday, May 7. Under the ban, travel into and out of areas affected by COVID-19 will be prohibited. Public transportation across Greater Jakarta will continue to operate for workers in essential services. On May 19, authorities confirmed that security forces to had been deployed to roads and toll booths enforce the ban from the first day of Ramadan until seven days after Eid al-Fitr at the earliest.

Previously, President Joko Widodo announced on May 4 that regional elections will be postponed to December 9 from September 23.

East Java authorities announced that the partial-lockdown in Surabaya and the neighboring regencies of Sidoarjo and Gresik will be extended until Monday, June 25, due to an increase in new cases of COVID-19.

The Indonesian Transport Ministry's ban on air travel remains in effect until Monday, June 1, and all sea travel continues to be suspended until Monday, June 8. Cargo transport, repatriation flights, and travel by diplomatic staff, representatives of international organizations, and state officials are exempt from the ban.

On Tuesday, April 14, President Joko Widodo declared the COVID-19 pandemic a non-natural national disaster. The decree gives increased powers to the national COVID-19 Task Force and requires provinces, regencies, and municipalities to follow the central government's policies in responding to the pandemic. Wearing face masks in public is mandatory. Public buses, trains, aircraft, ships, and private cars are only permitted to fill half of their passenger seats, while motorcycles can only be ridden by one person. Other previously announced measures remain in place, including the prohibition of all entry and transit by foreign nationals into or through Indonesia. However, foreigners with a limited stay permit card (Kitas), permanent stay permit card (Kitap), or other similar permits will still be allowed to enter the country.

As of Wednesday, May 20, there are 19,189 COVID-19 cases across Indonesia, including 1242 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.