Indonesia’s Covid-19 Alert Level Lowered in Some Areas, Restrictions Extended to Aug. 30

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Covid-19 alert level in Indonesia has been lowered after a decrease in active cases. However, the Covid-19 restriction on public activities, known by the Indonesian acronym PPKM, has been extended by another week to August 30.

“The government has decided to lower the Covid-19 alert level from four to three in some regions starting from August 24-30,” said President Joko Widodo in a broadcast message on Monday, August 23.

Before this, the high-level alert of Covid-19 restrictions had been extended five times since July 21 to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Also read: Indonesia’s Export-Oriented, Labor-Intensive Industries To Resume Fully Operations Despite Covid-19

Areas in Java and Bali under the category of Covid-19 level 3 restrictions will now include the Greater Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya. The number of regencies/cities under the category of level 4 restrictions now becomes 51 regencies/cities from 67 regencies/cities previously.

The number of areas under the category of Covid-19 level 3 restrictions has been increased to 67 regencies/cities from 59 regencies/cities. Meanwhile, the number of areas under the level 2 restrictions has now reached 10 regencies/cities from two regencies/cities.

Outside Java and Bali, the number of areas under the category of level 4 restrictions has now become 104 regencies/cities in seven provinces from 132 regencies/cities in 11 provinces.
Meanwhile, the areas under level 3 restrictions increased to 234 regencies/cities from 215 regencies/cities and level 2 restrictions increased to 48 regencies/cities from 39 regencies/cities.

Some adjustments have been made, including the rules for places of worship, restaurants, and malls or shopping centers.

Also read: Indonesia Prepares 5 Measures to Live with Endemic Covid-19: Task Force

Places of worship are now allowed to go 25 percent or 30 percent capacity. “By looking at the improvement in several indicators, the government is making adjustments gradually,” Jokowi said.

Restaurants can now serve dine-in customers but limit their capacity to 25 percent or two guests per table until 8 pm local time. Shopping malls are allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity until 8 pm local time. Strict health protocols remain in place under the purview of local administrations.

The export-oriented industries and the supporting businesses operate in full capacity or 100 percent. But, if new Covid-19 clusters were found, the facilities will be temporarily closed for five days.

“The adjustment to public activities must follow strict health protocols and requires the use of the Covid-19 tracking app PeduliLindungi when entering factories,” said Jokowi.

(Writers: Fitria Chusna Farisa, Akhdi Martin Pratama | Editors: Bayu Galih, Akhdi Martin Pratama)

Sources: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/08/23/19054691/breaking-news-jokowi-putuskan-beberapa-daerah-turun-level-ppkm-hingga-30?page=all#page2.

https://money.kompas.com/read/2021/08/23/203000626/ppkm-diperpanjang-ini-daftar-penyesuaian-terbarunya.