Emergency Covid-19 Restrictions Create Traffic Congestion in Indonesian Capital

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo previously announced the implementation of emergency restrictions on community activities or locally known as emergency PPKM from July 3-20, aiming at curbing a severe wave of Covid-19 cases.

However, the restrictions to tighten people's movements by using checkpoints and roadblocks, requiring workers in non-essential sectors to work from home, and closing malls, parks, and other public spaces, have created heavy traffic congestion.

KOMPAS.com / KRISTIANTO PURNOMO Indonesia National Armed Forces divert traffic heading to Jakarta at a checkpoint on Jl. Lenteng Agung in South Jakarta on Saturday.

An ambulance was also caught in a severe traffic jam on JL. Lenteng Agung in South Jakarta on Monday, July 6. In a video received by Kompas.com, the ambulance was near the Pancasila University in South Jakarta.

IDN TIMES/SACHRIL AGUSTIN BERUTU An ambulance stuck in Jakarta gridlock on JL. Lenteng Agung in South Jakarta on Monday, July 5.

“The Aulia Hospital ambulance is stuck in traffic due to the blockage in front of the Pancasila University," according to the video.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin admitted the fact that people's movements remained high. He urged people to follow the new Covid-19 restrictions.

"I see the streets of Jakarta during the Emergency PPKM are still packed [with vehicles]," said Budi during a Monday meeting with House of Representatives Commission IX overseeing health.

“There is no way we can control this pandemic if we are not disciplined,” he added.

(KOMPAS.com/GARRY LOTULUNG) Firefighters spray disinfectant on the capital's main thoroughfares on Sudirman street on Thursday, March 31.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Jakarta Fire Department sprayed disinfectant on Jalan Sudirman, which was regretted by many parties. The Jakarta Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) said the spraying of disinfectants on public roads was not very effective in suppressing the rate of transmission of Covid-19. Instead of spending the budget for this activity, IDI Jakarta suggested that the funds should be allocated for more important things, such as buying masks for the underprivileged.

(Writers: Ardito Ramadhan, Ihsanuddin, Rindi Nuris Velarosdela| Editors: Kristian Erdianto, Egidius Patnistik, Rindi Nuris Velarosdela)

Sources: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/07/05/13221271/menkes-sudah-ppkm-darurat-jalan-di-jakarta-masih-juga-macet.

https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2021/07/05/13384981/idi-jakarta-usul-anggaran-disinfektan-dialihkan-untuk-beli-masker-dan. 

https://megapolitan.kompas.com/read/2021/07/06/07130491/kacaunya-penyekatan-pada-hari-ketiga-ppkm-darurat-jakarta-macet-parah?page=all#page2.