June Serves as Transition Period for Jakarta

The Jakarta administration has decided to extend its large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) until 30 June 2020. The entire month will serve as a transition period to help residents prepare for the new normal.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Motorcyclists and pedestrians fill Jl. Teratai Putih 3 on Thursday (6/4/2020), in the vicinity of Perumnas Klender Market in East Jakarta. At least 20 vegetable and fish traders at the market have tested positive for Covid-19 after two rounds of testing that involved both rapid tests and swab tests.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Jakarta administration has extended its large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) until 30 June 2020. The entire month will serve as a transition period to help residents prepare for the new normal.

The decision also includes the easing of economic and other activities in businesses without shared buildings, houses of worship and offices with health protocol requirements. Residents are urged to maintain clean and healthy lifestyle, including keeping safe physical distance between one another, washing hands often and staying away from crowds in order to cut off Covid-19 spread.

“There will strict monitoring throughout the transition period. If the situation get worse or if people’s lack of discipline leads to an increased number of confirmed cases at the end of June, the Jakarta administration will reestablish maximum PSBB,” Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said in a virtual press conference in Jakarta on Thursday (4/6/2020).

The Jakarta administration is collaborating with the University of Indonesia public health faculty in making the decision on PSBB gradual easing. Measured variables include epidemiology score at 75, public health score at 70 and healthcare facility score at 100. The three variables’ average is 76, higher than the minimum score that allows PSBB easing, which is 70. Jakarta is considered to have fulfilled this requirement.

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KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

A shopper and a trader complete a cash transaction on Thursday (6/4/2020) at Perumnas Klender Market in East Jakarta. At least 20 vegetable and fish traders at the market have tested positive for Covid-19 after two rounds of testing that involved both rapid tests and swab tests.

Visits

The result of a Kompas poll on 16-23 May 2020 shows that, during the PSBB period, most respondents adhered to the government’s appeal to do activities at home, including praying and exercising.

Many of these respondents said that visiting the homes of friends and relatives was the activity they were looking forward to the most once PSBB was lifted. Some 42.7 percent cited the activity.

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Traveling is the second most-cited plan for after PSBB is lifted. Some 13.5 percent of respondents said that they hoped they could visit tourist destinations in Indonesia and abroad.

Other activities people are looking forward to are religious activities (8.2 percent), returning to work (4.5 percent), exercise (3.2 percent) and doing health checks in hospitals or clinics (2.9 percent).

Also read : Govt Urged to Coordinate PSBB Based on Epidemiological Regions

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Officers net several people at a checkpoint on Jl. Matraman Raya in East Jakarta on Thursday (6/4/2020), during an operation to enforce the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). Many people were found to be violating the regulation on the final day of the third PSBB period.

Reopening begins

As part of the gradual reopening of businesses and other places, houses of worship are allowed to reopen on Friday (5/6). However, houses of worship can only be opened during scheduled prayer times and must stay closed and disinfected outside these hours. Congregants are limited at 50 percent of full capacity and are required to bring their own prayer equipment, such as prayer mats.

Starting on Monday (8/6), offices outside of the 11 strategic sectors can be reopened with the number of employees limited at half of normal capacity. It is urged that employees arrive at their offices in several shifts to prevent crowds at the start and end of office hours as well as during break periods.

Also read : PSBB Still Faces a Number of Obstacles

Shops and restaurants not located in malls, museums, galleries, open spaces and outdoor sport facilities can also be reopened in line with Covid-19 protocols.

“The Jakarta administration will fine people not wearing masks Rp 250,000 (US$17.71). We have distributed 20 million free masks. There is no excuse to not wear one,” Anies said.

Of Jakarta’s 2,741 community units (RW), 66 are still labeled red zones. “We will continue our campaign on clean and healthy lifestyle, including wearing masks, washing hands with soap, keeping physical distance of 1.5 meters between one another and avoiding crowds,” Anies continued.

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Jakarta State University sociology education laboratory head Syaifudin said these RWs were located in densely-populated residential areas of low-income people. Special and concrete approaches must be carried out. Campaigns of wearing masks and avoiding crowds alone may not be enough.

KOMPAS/LUCKY PRANSISKA

The deserted platform of the Senayan MRT Station is seen on Wednesday (3/6/2020) in Jakarta. The station has been closed throughout the implementation of the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB), and is scheduled to reopen during the “new normal” phase.

High risk

This is in line with a conclusion in the survey on Jakarta residents’ risk perception carried out by Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Social Resilience Lab and Laporcovid-19. Economic pressures have affected people’ risk perception and they may not be able to implement a safe lifestyle. NTU disaster sociologist Sulfikar said that the new coronavirus spread was deeply linked to people’s behavior. Other than medical intervention, social interventions such as limiting interactions between people can curb the virus spread.

A survey on 29 May-2 June collected 3,160 valid respondents, 41.86 percent of which have bachelor’s degrees and another 40.08 percent are high school graduates. The study shows that economic pressures is a dominant factor that affects people’s risk perception, leading them to continue outdoor activities and neglect the pandemic’s risks.

“In general, Jakarta residents’ risk perception index is 3.46, within the range of lacking preparedness to face the new normal. Ideally, the score is above 4. Consequently, it is wise to not enforce new normal policies as of yet,” Sulfikar said.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

A mosque caretaker checks space markers on Thursday (4/6/2020 at Baitussalam Mosque in Pondok Kelapa, Duren Sawit, East Jakarta. The mosque is adding facilities and procedures to comply with the Covid-19 health protocol as it waits for permission from the subdistrict head and related agencies to reopen its doors to worshipers.

Positive response

Businesspeople in Jakarta responded positively to the Jakarta governor’s decision to extend PSBB. And impose a transition period towards the new normal. “This is a breath of fresh air for business owners and employees as the wheels of the economy will start turning again,” Indonesian Indigenous Businesspeople Association (HIPPI) Jakarta branch head Sarman Simanjorang said.

With the reopening of trade centers, Jakarta’s economy will blossom again.

During the transition period, offices and businesses not located in malls can be reopened by applying an odd-even scheme. Odd-numbered shops can open on odd dates and even-numbered shops on even dates. Malls and trade centers can reopen on Monday (15/6). Simanjorang said that business owners can use the time to prepare infrastructure to support health protocols. They can also consolidate to prepare office hours for employees and standard service protocols for visitors that adhere to health regulations. “With the reopening of trade centers, Jakarta’s economy will blossom again,” Simanjorang said.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police are committed to oversee people’s adherence to health protocols. “In line with the President’s instructions, the TNI and the National Police will serve on the front lines in enforcing discipline,” Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Nana Sudjana said.

(DNE/GIO/HLN/JOG/AIK/DIV)