Two provinces and 18 regencies/cities have received the approval to implement large-scale social restrictions. However, an evaluation on its implementation in Greater Jakarta shows the measures have not been effective.
By
KOMPAS TEAM
·5 minutes read
KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO
Vehicles line up to get checked at a toll road exit gate in Baranangsiang, Bogor municipality, West Java, at the start of the enforcement of large-scale social restrictions on April 15. Personnel from a COVID-19 task force stand ready at some entries to Bogor. Residents were told to stay at home during social restrictions.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The large-scale social restriction (PSBB) policy, which have been implemented in a number of regions since April 10, still faces a number of obstacles. The partial lockdown is still ineffective in preventing the transmission of COVID-19.
Stricter law enforcement, coupled with the dissemination of measures involving all stakeholders, massive testing of COVID-19 and strengthening coordination across regions must be carried out simultaneously to ensure the PSBB will be more effective in suppressing the transmission rate of the diseases, caused by the new coronavirus.
In a limited, virtual Cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday (4/20/2020), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo stressed the importance of a total evaluation of the government policy in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The evaluation of the PSBB should be carried out in detail; what the shortcomings are, what the pluses and minuses are, so we can fix them again, " the President remarked at the opening of the meeting.
The limited meeting was also attended by Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin and a number of related officials, including the head of the COVID-19 Task Force , Doni Monardo.
Bird enthusiasts visit a bird market under an overpass in Kebayoran Lama in South Jakarta on Sunday (19/04/2020). People still flocked to the bird market even though the Jakarta administration has enforced large-scale social restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 since 10 early April. Many visitors wore face masks to protect themselves from the highly contagious novel coronavirus.
PSBB measures were first implemented in Jakarta on April 10, followed by Bogor, Depok and Bekasi (West Java) on April 15. Tangerang city, Tangerang regency and South Tangerang city in Banten province implemented the measures on Saturday (18/014/2020). According to COVID-19 Task Force data, the proposals to implement PSBB from other two province and 18 regencies and cities have been approved. West Sumatra province will implement the PSBB on Wednesday (22/04/2020).
The President reminded local governments once again to conduct a massive sample testing, aggressively tracking people who have a history of direct contact with COVID-19 patients and strict isolation of all people suspected of having direct contact with COVID-19 patients. These three things were said at least twice during the limited meeting.
After the meeting, Doni acknowledged the implementation of the PSBB in Greater Jakarta had not been effective in limiting the mobility of people. Many offices and factories are still in operation, so the proposals from a number of parties to further impose public transportation restrictions cannot be fulfilled. It is feared that this can further trigger crowds that can make risk of the disease’s transmission even higher.
However, Doni said there was progress compared to a few weeks ago. Users of public transportation at stations, Transjakarta bus stops and terminals have decreased. However, more efforts are still needed, such as strong warnings and sanctions in accordance with Article 93 of Law No. 6/2018 on health quarantine. Those who do not obey or obstruct the implementation of health quarantine, thus causing public health threats, can be jailed to a maximum of one year or receive a maximum fine of Rp 100 million (US$6,390).
Public policy observer from the University of Indonesia, Agus Pambagio, sees the implementation of the PSBB as not yet optimal because there are a number of conflicting rules. The central and regional governments must have the firmness to implement the PSBB. All policies issued must also be synchronized. Meanwhile, professor of Public Policy at Gadjah Mada University, Erwan Agus Purwanto, said the ineffectiveness of the PSBB could also be caused by the ineffectiveness of the social assistance in ensuring that people remain at home. As a result, many residents do not have many choices but leave their houses looking for income to survive.
Policemen stay alert at a checkpoint during the enforcement of large-scale social restrictions on Jl. Raya Rawa Buntu, Serpong, South Tangerang, Banten, on Saturday (18/04/2020). South Tangerang has check points in seven locations to enforce the policy. The policemen also checked cars exiting the toll road.
Imposing sanctions
Previously, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said a serious awareness campaign was needed to ensure the people follow the PSBB rules.
"We did say that we would enforce the rules, even revoke business licenses. We will do it in stages, starting from the notification and then if there is repetition, then we will give the punishment," Anies said.
The PSBB implementation in Bogor, Depok and Bekasi, according to West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, would be used as a basis for the implementation of the PSBB in Bandung, Cimahi and Sumedang starting on Wednesday. The legal enforcement will be imposed. Social assistance will be distributed so that the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 can be addressed. In addition, the PSBB will be accompanied by massive rapid testing. The goal is to control the transmission of the disease.
Meanwhile, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said the PSBB had been proposed for Surabaya and partly for Sidoarjo and Gresik.
We did say that we would enforce the rules, even revoke business licenses.
Preparations for the implementation of the PSBB have been carried out in the province of West Sumatra. West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno said all regents and mayors had agreed on the schedule and concept of the PSBB. West Sumatra, among other provinces, will impose restrictions on the number of passengers riding in vehicles, the closure of entertainment and tourist attractions, the prohibition of activities that cause crowds, as well as the closure of stalls and shops, except those that sell basic necessities, medicines and medical equipment.
The governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, encouraged the handling of COVID-19 based on the participation of the community, which must be supported by the discipline of the people. However, if that does not work, the regions must prepare to implement the PSBB.
The Home Affairs Ministry has reminded the regional government in Greater Jakarta to record the residents or workers who would return to their home towns or other regions so that the data could be used to anticipate the spread of COVID-19 in the regions. According to the provisional data from the Regional Autonomy Directorate General of the Home Affairs Ministry, on Monday there were 42,506 people from Greater Jakarta traveling to their hometowns in 31 provinces. (INA/BOW/JOL/CHE/BRO/HLN/DIT/INK)
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