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

“The tests taken by some evaders show reactive results,” said Tangerang Regent Arief Wismansyah, referring to the 21 people whose results were reactive.

Apart from the rapid test, about 351 violators were sanctioned with community service such as cleaning the public areas and sweep the streets.

Arief said the relevant authorities will continue to monitor the public space and take necessary actions if violations occur, with the hope that people will realize the importance of maintaining their health by following the rules.

An official data recorded as of today 303 people in Tangerang have tested positive COVID-19, 26 people have died, 127 have been recovered, and 150 people are still being treated.

Elsewhere, in Dumai, Sumatra Province, street vendors and residents rejected the PSBB implementation on its first day on Monday. The incident, which went viral on social media, took place in the evening when hundreds of people gathered in a market on Jalan Jenderal Sudirman.

They disagree because they are only allowed to operate their businesses from around 6 pm to 9 pm while this week is the time to make good money as the Idul Fitri religious holiday celebrated by the Muslims around the world is approaching.

A resident who works at a workshop, Arya, 48, is among the people who rejected the social restrictions as many of his relatives are the street vendors. He said they need longer hours to sell food, clothes, and other products so that they can make a good income.

“Of course I am afraid of getting sick but we need to earn money to make a living. We will follow the recommended health protocol by wearing masks in public places and maintain physical distancing,” he said.

Indonesia, one of the hardest-hit countries, has the highest mortality rate in Southeast Asia, reaching between 8-9 percent.

The death toll from coronavirus has hit over 1,200. As of Thursday, the authorities have confirmed 20,162 COVID-19 positive cases and 4,838 have been recovered throughout Indonesia. (Author: Rakhmat Nur Hakim, Idon Tanjung, Singgih Wiryono, Jimmy Ramadhan Azhari | Editor: )

Source: https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2020/05/19/17291841/anies-kembali-perpanjang-psbb-jakarta-sampai-4-juni-2020