TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A social and political observer with the Jakarta State University Ubedilah Badrun said that the government is not responsible to fulfill the basic needs of its people by imposing the large-scale social restriction amid the constant attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

“The government is not obligated to fulfill the basic needs of its citizens,” said Ubedilah to Tempo on Tuesday, March 31.

Furthermore, Ubedilah said Law No.6/2018 overseeing health-related quarantine states that large-scale social restrictions is applied by closing malls, tourism sites, terminals, and airports with exceptions on limited people mobility in several places.

The difference between the social restriction compared to territorial quarantine is that the latter will see the government imposing stricter restrictions but covers people’s needs in return. It can also declare coronavirus (COVID-19) “red zone” and completely close-off the area in question in addition to authorities guarding the location.

Territorial quarantine also bars people from leaving their homes and would need a special government permit to do so. In such a scenario, the government must fulfill the basic needs of its people which is meant to “completely cut off the chain of virus transmissions in a certain territory,” said Badrun.

However, if the coronavirus spread even worse, the government can potentially opt for the quarantine as granted by Article 53, 54, and 55 of the Constitution.

FRISKI RIANA