Large-Scale Social Restriction In Indonesia's Jakarta Extended By 14 Days

JAKARTA, July 2 (Bernama) -- The large-scale social restriction (PSBB) in the transition or recovery phase in Jakarta Province has been extended by another 14 days. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan in a media conference held via Jakarta government official website said the transition process of PSBB which allowed several socio-economic activities would be reviewed based on the current development of COVID-19 cases. On June 4, Anies announced the PSBB transition process until the end of June would among others allow the reopening of houses of worship, public transport, shopping centres and all activities have to go through new protocols and the operation of all sectors should not be more than 50 per cent capacity. Schools and entertainment centres are still not allowed to operate. Two days ago, Indonesia President Joko Widodo ordered provincial governments not to relax PSBB regulations if the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to rise. Several provinces among them Central Java, West Java and Jakarta have started to implement the PSBB transition to allow several socio-economic activities since early and mid-June. Meanwhile, the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Indonesia continues to increase above 57,000 cases with 2,934 deaths. According to Indonesian government spokesman for COVID-19, Achmad Yurianto, there were 1,385 new positive cases from 12 Tuesday noon to 12 Wednesday noon, bringing the total now to 57,770 with 58 more fatalities during the period. “There are still 13,296 patients being monitored for COVID-19,” he told the daily media conference which was aired via Indonesia’s National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) YouTube channel. East Java Province recorded the highest death toll with 926 cases, followed by Jakarta Province (632 cases), South Kalimantan (190), West Java (177) and the remaining cases in other provinces. -- BERNAMA