TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan decided to extend the enactment of the micro-scale community activity restriction or Micro PPKM until May 31, 2021, in an attempt to prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases after the Eid al-Fitr holidays.

The policy extension was stipulated in the Gubernatorial Decree No. 615 of 2021 and Gubernatorial Instruction No. 34/2021.

“We will stay alert of an increase in cases in the next two weeks, particularly in this period after Eid al-Fitr,” said Jakarta Health Agency Head Widyastuti in a written statement on Monday, May 17.

The Health Agency recorded that the number of active cases in the capital was fluctuating. On May 16, the city saw a decline in the number of Covid-19 active cases at 7,146.

Widyastuti asserted that the city administration continued to monitor and stay alert of a possible surge in positive cases due to a possible emergence of a new Eid homecoming infection cluster. Reflecting on the situation after the long holidays of 2020 Christmas, 2021 New Year, and last year’s Eid, there was a spike in positive cases.

Thus, the agency needed information from the neighboring and community units or RT RW and cadres to identify residents who insisted on going for Eid homecoming or mudik in order to accelerate the screening process.

“Even though the government suggests the public to refrain from going to their hometowns [for Eid celebration] and block road access, we are still aware of potential clusters resulting from homecoming trips,” said Widyastuti.

Anies Baswedan previously stated that people were not barred from entering Jakarta. However, those who travel to the capital city have to go through a rigorous screening process.

Read: Anies Baswedan Prepares Screening to Anticipate COVID-19 Transmission

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA