COVID-19: Social Restrictions Extended, Violations Persist in Indonesian Cities

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - After two-month large-scale social restrictions, Indonesians across the country still get sanctioned for violating the rules amid growing coronavirus cases.

Following the country’s first two cases in early March, the government has stepped up its effort to curb the COVID-19 from spreading by imposing the large-scale social restrictions or locally known as PSBB.

The decision was then followed by the regional governments and local administrations throughout Indonesia, leading to restrictions on people’s movement and public gatherings.

Recently, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has extended the PSBB in the Indonesian capital by another 14 days until June 4, bringing it the third time since he announced the first large-scale social restrictions on April 10.

“The Jakarta Administration and its task force would like to inform the public that PSBB in the city will be extended by 14 days starting from May 22 to June 4,” Anies said on Tuesday in a speech broadcast on the city’s YouTube channel.

He said that the next two weeks would become a crucial period in the effort to curb the transmission of COVID-19 in Jakarta. He stressed the importance of abiding by rules during PSBB. “This may become the last PSBB if we are being disciplined,” he said.

In Jakarta alone, the hardest-hit part of the country, as of today a total of 6.053 people have tested positive for COVID-19, over 1,400 people are recovered, and 487 have died.

Despite the rising numbers of confirmed cases, social restrictions have caused mixed reactions among the people. Some have been trying to abide by the rules by working from home, schooling from home, and have left the houses only if necessary.

However, others seemed to ignore the risk of getting infected by walking around in crowded public places such as wet markets.

Tania, 26, said that being at home at a time of PSBB could already cause a feeling of boredom. And, she added, it feels worse when sanctions on violators are not strictly imposed as seen on social media.

“Staying at home for three months would have been useless. I feel sorry for the healthcare workers [who have worked tirelessly],” she said.

Another Jakartan known as Harri, 25, shared a similar sentiment. He said that for almost three months he has been following the rules but he gets annoyed by some selfish people who evaded the PSBB.

But, he said that he will remain patient to follow the rules until the PSBB is revoked. “If so [PSBB will end], the government should impose stricter rules for the next two weeks,” Harri said.

Besides, they both also hoped that the local administration will maximize their efforts in distributing social assistances to low-income people in Jakarta as COVID-19 has a huge impact not only on people’s health but also on their economy.

Meanwhile, in Tangerang on the outskirts of the Indonesian capital, in two days alone this month more than 2,000 people have flouted the rules. Of these, over 1,700 people were forced to take rapid tests.