TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan restricted Jakartans from leaving the city for the next three weeks as an effort to minimize the spread of the new coronavirus infection.

Anies made the appeal during the city’s internal meeting of COVID-19 along with Metro Police Chief and Jakarta Military Commander.

“This needs to be underlined, please inform all residents, do not leave Jakarta. Tell all neighboring units and neighboring associations so their people will not leave Jakarta. Unless for urgent purposes, don’t leave,” said Anies in a written statement, Thursday, March 19.

Even though the capital is not put on coronavirus lockdown, Anies issued the ban that would be valid for the next three weeks following the rising cases of COVID-19 that reached hundreds in a short period.

The governor expressed his concerns about the Jakartans’ mobility that might worsen as occurred in several countries since they did not impose a social distancing policy. “Because we don’t want Jakarta to experience what other regions have dealt with. Today, staying at home is a form of state defense,” Anies remarked.

Anies opined that the most effective solution to prevent the virus from spreading further is by maintaining social distance. He also instructed his staffers up to sub-district levels and neighboring associations to limit their interaction with the residents.

To limit social interaction, Anies also decided to halt religious activities for the next two weeks, such as Friday prayers and Sunday masses. The Hindu Day of Silence or Nyepi would also be encouraged not to involve crowds.

Anies Baswedan admitted that the trend of the COVID-19 case in Jakarta is quite high and rose significantly. Based on the official page of the virus task force, the city recorded 208 patients and 17 fatalities as of Thursday.

TAUFIQ SIDDIQ