TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Health Ministry has approved a proposal for the application of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in Buol District, Central Sulawesi Province, to accelerate the handling of COVID-19 cases in the district.

"We have approved the Buol district government's proposal for PSBB today (Saturday)," Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said on the Health Ministry's website early Sunday.

He said the coronavirus outbreak in Buol District has spread so significantly that he approved the imposition of PSBB in the district through his decision number .HK.01.07/Menkes/300/2020.dated May 9, 2020.

The imposition of PSBB in Buol District was decided after the Health Ministry's technical team conducted an epidemiology study and took into account the district's preparedness in terms of social, economic, and other aspects.

Buol District Head Amiruddin Rauf said earlier he decided to file a proposal with the ministry for the imposition of PSBB since the district had recorded the largest number of coronavirus cases in Central Sulawesi.

"I think the imposition of PSBB in Buol is needed in view of the current condition and situation in the district," he said.

The district has so far reported 29 confirmed coronavirus cases with one patient recovering from the infection.

The health minister has, so far, approved the imposition of PSBB in Jakarta; Bekasi District/Municipality, Depok City, and Bogor District/Municipality in West Java; Tangerang District/Municipality and South Tangerang City in Banten; Pekanbaru in Riau, Greater Surabaya in East Java, and Makassar in South Sulawesi, among others.

PSBB can be imposed in a region at the health minister’s approval. It is effective for a 14-day period and can be extended if the authorities continue to find cases of virus transmissions in the region.

ANTARA