TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD Jakarta) member from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Gilbert Simanjuntak, argues that the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in Jakarta has reached an uncontrollable level as the city’s positivity rate had reached 10 percent.

“It is getting uncontrollable,” said Gilbert when Tempo contacted him today, August 25.

According to Gilbert, the current rate could possibly create situations where people continue to travel outdoors and conduct various outdoor activities without knowing they had been exposed as they don’t show symptoms.

He also argues that it is starting to be difficult to restrict people’s activities as they have started to return to work and conduct pre-pandemic activities, which has made policies issued by the Jakarta administration less effective.

The PDIP man said this has shown the lack of control and supervision from the government’s side, especially in potentially-crowded places such as traditional markets and dense housing areas.

Gilbert encouraged the Jakarta administration to impose large-scale social restriction (PSBB) and force people back to their homes. However, he understands that the city’s budget will not be enough to impose the strict city lockdown.

Read: Jakarta Covid-19 Positivity Rate 8.6%; Above WHO Standard

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