Indonesia: Authorities to ease COVID-19 restrictions in Jakarta October 12 /update 40

Event

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has announced that coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in the capital will be eased from Monday, October 12, following a slowing of infection rates in the city. A partial lockdown was re-imposed in Jakarta on September 14 after a spike in cases. Under the relaxed measures, offices in essential business sectors will be permitted to operate with a capacity "that is in line with their needs", and those in non-essential business sectors will be allowed to operate at fifty percent capacity. Restaurants and cafes may serve dine-in guests but can only operate at fifty percent capacity, whilst recreational parks and tourist destinations can open at a quarter at of their capacity. Gyms are also limited to twenty-five percent capacity, while other indoor and outdoor sports facilities can operate at fifty percent capacity. Indoor activities such as seminars, cinemas, and marriage ceremonies can be held at a quarter capacity. Social distancing must be observed in public places and gatherings of more than five people remain prohibited.

Travel restrictions are currently in effect and include the prohibition of all entry and transit by foreign nationals into or throughout Indonesia, apart from under a few exceptional circumstances. These measures also include the entry of foreign workers. However, foreign nationals with a limited stay permit card (Kitas), permanent stay permit card (Kitap), or other similar permits will still be allowed to enter the country. Wearing face masks in public is also mandatory.

As of Sunday, October 11, Jakarta has reported 86,963 infections and 1889 deaths. The entire country has recorded 333,449 cases and 11,844 fatalities. 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). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

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

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

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.