Indonesia to Continue Stricter Protocols in Java, Bali as Covid-19 Cases Hike

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com -  Partial lockdown will likely be continued in Indonesia's Java and Bali islands by another 14 days starting from January 25 as the islands' Covid-19 caseload continues to climb and people still get sanctioned for violating the health protocols.  

The partial lockdown, or locally known as Enforced Restrictions of Community Activities (PPKM), is scheduled to take place until February 8, bringing it the second time this year since it was first announced on January 11.

“Java and Bali have been selected for PPKM, but the latest figures have not resulted in a significant reduction in Covid-19 transmission rates,” said the Ministry of Home Affairs' Director General for Area Administration, Syafrizal, on Wednesday, January 20.

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“We are currently monitoring several priority provinces, especially those that are in the high category [of Covid-19 transmission rates],” Syafrizal added. 

This decision was taken after the number of daily Covid-19 cases doubled to over 10,000 after the Christmas and New Year holidays, reaching a new record of more than 14,000 confirmed cases on January 16.

"PPKM will be enforced more rigorously until the number of Covid-19 cases can be reduced significantly," he said, adding that this includes reducing the BOR [bed occupancy ratio). 

Covid-19 violation persist 

Meanwhile in Central Java, Adjunct Senior Commissioner of Police (AKBP) Ari Wibowo, Semarang Police chief, reported that the city has cracked down on thousands of individuals and companies for violating PPKM. The authorities have imposed sanctions from verbal warning to letters of reprimand.

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