Covid-19: Jakarta Residents Told to Get Vaccinated or Pay up to $355 Fine

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Jakarta residents who will refuse to get the Covid-19 vaccine or prevent others from getting the shot could get administrative sanctions, the province's deputy governor said on Wednesday.

“Anyone who does not want to comply with the regulations, including not wanting to get vaccinated, can be issued a fine or penalty,” said Ahmad Riza Patria at the City Hall on December 16.

Riza went on to say that the fine will also be applied to those who try to prevent others from getting the Covid-19 vaccine.

“Preventing others from getting the Covid-19 vaccine can be fined even more, up to seven million rupiahs [$500],” said Riza, adding that the sanction is mentioned in the Regional Regulations No. 2/2020 on the Covid-19 handling.

The Regional Regulations also cover sanctions for those who fail to take an active role in preventing the spread of the Covid-19.

SHUTTERSTOCK/Nixx Photography Illustration of a Covid-19 vaccine

The type of offenses that could be charged under the Covid-19 rules are:

1. Refuse to be tested for Covid-19

According to Article 29 of Chapter X in the Regional Regulations No. 2/2020, people who refuse the Covid-19 tests will be issued a fine of five million rupiahs ($355).

“Anyone who intentionally refuses to be tested for Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction or Molecular Rapid Test, and/or other supporting examinations conducted by the Jakarta Administration will be fined up to five million rupiahs [$355],” the Regional Regulation stated.

Also read: Indonesia Receives 1.2 Million Doses of Covid-19 Vaccine from China’s Sinovac

2. Refuse to be vaccinated

According to Article 30, anyone who refuses to receive the Covid-19 vaccination will also be fined up to five million rupiahs ($355).

3. Carry the bodies who died of Covid-19 without permission

Article 31 of Paragraph 1 states that sanctions will be applied to people who bring bodies of deceased persons with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 status from health facilities. Those who breach this regulation will be fined up to five million rupiahs ($355). Meanwhile, those who breach Article 31 of Paragraph 1 along with threatening or committing acts of violence could be fined up to 7.5 million rupiahs ($530).

Also read: President Jokowi Okays Free Covid-19 Vaccination for All Indonesians

4. Escaping from the Covid-19 isolation facility

Article 32 of the aforementioned Regional Regulation states that people who have tested positive for the Covid-19 but leave the isolation facility or health facility without permission will be fined up to five million rupiahs ($355).

(Writer: Singgih Wiryono | Editor: Irfan Maullana)

Source: https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2020/12/16/22142091/denda-rp-5-juta-menanti-para-penolak-vaksinasi-covid-19-di-jakarta?page=2.