Jakarta Tightens PPKM, Extends the Policy in the Capital

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has officially extended Enforced Micro-Scale Restriction of Community Activities or PPKM in the capital, as Jakarta and the rest of Indonesia continues to grapple with the pandemic.

The governor decree for the policy stated that it comes into effect from June 22 to July 5, and that it will be enforced more tightly following the recent surge in Covid-19 cases.1. Offices: “All workplaces are required to have 75 percent of their employees work from home [WFH], regardless of whether the offices are in a red zone or not,” said Anies. “This applies with no exceptions to government offices or private companies.”

Meeting venues, seminars or workshops in hotels and other buildings that call for face-to-face meeting will likewise be closed.

2. Schools: “All classes will revert to online learning, while face-to-face classes will be abolished,” Anies announced. The policy undid the cautious progress that has been gradually made in holding face-to-face classes over the past few weeks.

Also read: Jakarta to Continue Trial Face-to-Face Classes in Schools

3. Shopping centers; “Malls and shopping centers are required to have no more than 25 percent of their visitor capacity at any one time,” the policy ruled. Their opening hours are forwarded by one hour from 9 pm to 8 pm.

Other places of business are not permitted to open, such as barbershops or salons, cinemas, as well as gyms and other sports centers, as well as children’s playgrounds..

4. Religious observances: Anies urged all religious observances to be carried out at home with no exceptions.

5. Artistic activities and public spaces: Anies said that “artistic activities or similar events that will attract crowds, especially those in public spaces, will be curtailed until further notice,” he maintained.

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“However, political gatherings and protests are permitted, as long they are attended by 25 percent capacity of crowds,” the policy went. The organizers are not allowed to serve any foods. The rule also applies to museums and artistic exhibits.

The Jakarta Provincial Administration’s tighten PPKM policy comes as the number of Covid-19 cases in the capital rose to 486,957 following the addition of 4,693 new cases.

“Of these, the number of active Covid-19 cases currently stand at 35,705 cases, following an increase of 3,514 people. The number of deaths as of have stood at 8,057, after another 43 people died of Covid-19,” said Jakarta Health Services Disease Prevention and Control head Dwi Oktavia.

“The number of people who recovered from Covid-19 increased by 1,136. This brings the number of recoveries to 443,195 out of 486,957.”

Dwi also maintained that the Jakarta Provincial Administration has taken strides in vaccinations. “T40.8 percent, or 3,593,159 [vaccine recipients] received their first doses, while 1,894,808 others, or 21.5 percent, received their first dosage,” she noted.