TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto has granted the request of Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, to implement the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB).

“After the technical team finished its review, we agreed to accept the PSBB proposal in Gowa Regency,” said Terawan as quoted from the ministry’s official website on Wednesday, April 22.

The permit was given on April 22, 2020, through the Health Ministerial Decree No. HK.01.07/Menkes/273/2020 as the region has fulfilled the requirements to implement the restrictions.

“COVID-19 cases in the region have increased and spread significantly. So, PSBB must be established in order to quicken the handling,” Terawan added.

As of date, he has given green lights for several areas to implement PSBB, namely Jakarta, Bekasi Regency, Bekasi City, Depok City, Bogor Regency, Bogor City in West Java Province; Tangerang Regency, Tangerang City, South Tangerang City in Banten Province; Pekanbaru City in Riau Province; Makassar City in South Sulawesi Province; Banjarmasin City in South Kalimantan Province; and Tarakan City in North Kalimantan Province.

Three regencies or cities in East Java Province, Surabaya, Sidoarjo, and Gresik were also permissible to enforce the strict physical distancing order.

However, Minister Terawan had also rejected PSBB requests from several regions as they did not meet the set requirements, such as Bolaang Mongondow Regency of North Sulawesi, Fakfak Regency and Sorong City of West Papua, Palangka Raya City of Central Kalimantan, and Rote Ndao Regency of NTT.

DEWI NURITA