Transition Begins, All Urged to Follow Health Protocols

Entering the transition period toward the new normal, some public activities in Jakarta have recommenced. Public compliance to Covid-19 health protocols are a prerequisite to carry out activities.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Residents perform Friday prayers at Cut Meutia Mosque, Central Jakarta, Friday (5/6/2020). The provincial government of Jakarta has reopened places of worship during the transition from large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). To anticipate the spread of Covid-19, Friday prayers are carried out under strict health protocols.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS -- Friday (5/6/2020) was the first day of people\'s transition to the new normal in Jakarta. The public in the capital city has begun to carry out a number of outdoor activities after almost two months of large-scale social restrictions. Adhering to strict health protocols is an absolute requirement for activity in this transitional period because Covid-19 is still ongoing.

President Joko Widodo, accompanied by State Secretary Minister Pratikno, performed Friday prayers at Baiturrahim Mosque in the Presidential Palace complex, Jakarta. Friday prayers were also held at Bogor Palace, West Java. For health reasons, Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin worshiped at his official residence on Jl Diponegoro, Jakarta.

Also read : June Serves as Transition Period for Jakarta

Friday prayers were held in line with health protocols. The temperatures of members of the congregation were taken before entering the mosque, while the number of worshipers was limited and the distance between people was regulated. All of them wore masks.

"We hope Friday prayers will continue to be organized at Baiturrahim Mosque, [we] will be really ready to follow the new normal orders and adapt to new habits," the President said after an earlier inspection.

Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Efendy and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, along with Muhammadiyah general secretary Abdul Mu\'ti, performed Friday prayers at the head office of Muhammadiyah on Jl Menteng Raya. According to Abdul Mu\'ti, people in the green zone are allowed to attend congregational prayers at the mosque or musholla (prayer room). However, during worship, health protocol still apply to protect people.

Also read : New Normal? This is Really Normal

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Residents perform Friday prayers at the Al Azhar Great Mosque, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Friday (5/6/2020). The provincial government of Jakarta has reopened places of worship during the transition from large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). To anticipate the spread of Covid-19, Friday prayers are carried out under strict health protocols.

Friday prayers were also held at An Nahdlah Mosque at the head office of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) on Jl Kramat Raya. NU chairperson Said Aqil Siroj led the prayer and delivered the sermon. Previously, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued a fatwa, stating that in order to prevent the transmission of Covid-19, Friday prayers could be organized by applying physical restrictions or keeping distance between participants. MUI secretary-general Anwar Abbas said the fatwa was the result of a long discussion.

Outside the mosques, traffic on the streets of the capital city and in Greater Jakarta had also started to increase. Similar activities were seen in a number of markets and shopping areas. Public transportation, such as Transjakarta and the commuter line, was quite crowded.

At Palmerah, Tanah Abang and Manggarai stations, all passengers wore masks. The station operator, assisted by members of the Indonesian Military (TNI), ensured that health protocols were being met. Personnel at the stations and inside the trains wore face shields.

Opening of the economic sector

Along with the transition in Jakarta, the government has prepared plans to open up the economic sector in 102 regencies/cities that were declared as green zones. These areas are considered to be able to carry out productive community programs. "President Joko Widodo has assigned the Task Force to announce [the plan of] the reopening of sectors that have a positive impact on the lives of many people," said Doni Monardo, chairman of the Covid-19 Rapid Response Task Force.

There are nine sectors that will be reopened, including mining, oil, industry, construction, plantation, agriculture and animal husbandry, fisheries, logistics, and transportation of goods. All of these are considered to have a low risk of Covid-19 transmission and they can provide significant employment and bring economic impacts. The opening will be carried out by the relevant ministries by implementing strict health protocols, education, outreach and simulation in stages.

Also read : Jakarta Seeks ‘Cure’ for Economy

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

A bicycle taxi rider piggybacks a passenger at Jakarta Kota Station, West Jakarta, Friday (5/6/2020). During the transitional large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in Jakarta, bicycle taxi drivers will be allowed to give services to passengers starting on 8 June by obeying the rules for preventing the spread of Covid-19.

According to Home Ministry Territorial Administration acting director general Safrizal, 102 regencies/cities that are considered to be ready include 14 regions in Aceh province, 14 regions in North Sumatra, 2 regions in Riau, 1 region in Central Kalimantan, 1 region in Central Java, 14 regions in East Nusa Tenggara, 3 regions in North Sulawesi and 17 regions in Papua.

If we are negligent and new clusters emerge, the handling will be difficult.

Laporcovid-19 epidemiologist Iqbal Elyazar said that the decision to declare 102 regencies/cities to be free from Covid-19 must be done carefully. "We must examine whether the regencies/cities really did not have additional cases [of Covid-19], apart from no fatality of person under surveillance [ODP] and patient under treatment [PDP]. Have conducted enough tests?" he said.

Follow health protocols

Secretary general of the Indonesian Red Cross, Sudirman Said, reminded all sides to remain disciplined in implementing health protocols. "This transition period is actually a test so that all people and the government are increasingly vigilant. If we are negligent and new clusters emerge, the handling will be difficult," he said.

In a press conference after Friday prayer at the Fatahillah Mosque at Jakarta City Hall, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan asked the public to prioritize staying at home because the outbreak had not yet ended. The Jakarta provincial administration will not hesitate in canceling the transition if there is an increase in cases.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

An officer disinfects a dark alley to prevent the spread of Covid-19 at Perumnas Klender Market in East Jakarta on Thursday (4/6/2020). 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.

Until now, the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Indonesia is still increasing. The government spokesperson for Covid-19 affairs, Achmad Yurianto, said 703 confirmed cases were reported on 5 June, 2020, making the total number of confirmed cases in Indonesia to 29,521 cases.

Meanwhile, the highest addition of confirmed cases were recorded in East Java (141 cases), followed by Jakarta (76), South Kalimantan (71), Central Java (58) and South Sulawesi (54). The number of people under surveillance (ODP) is 49,320 people and patients under treatment (PDP) is 13,592 people. This data is reported from 420 regencies/cities in 34 provinces.

(DNE/AIK/TAN/NTA/EDN/LAS/FRD/ FAI/SKA/DAN/DIV/SHR/ERK)