TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Special Region of Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X (Sultan HB X) signaled the possibility of imposing a total lockdown following the surge of Covid-19 cases in the region on Friday, June 18, 2021.

"If the community-level public mobility restriction has failed then what else is to be done? The only way is for a total lockdown," said the governor on Friday, June 18, 2021.

The Yogyakarta governor's concern was validated by the hospital bed occupancy ratio and isolation rooms that are starting to be crowded by patients as it is currently at 75 percent compared to the previous 36 percent. The region recorded nearly 600 daily cases one month after the Eid celebrations.

He explained that the micro public activity restriction enforcement (PPKM) that the region enforced on June 15-28 will be adjusted to further suppress the chances of spreading Covid-19 through gatherings.

Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X said that the new rules will see social activities such as weddings only be allowed through permits green-lit by district officials, rather than community leaders. However, he is not confident such modifications will be enough to reduce the number of COvid-19 cases in the popular tourist region and plans to impose a total lockdown after summoning district officials on Monday, June 21, 2021.

As of Thursday, June 17, 2021, the cumulative Covid-19 cases in Yogyakarta has reached 50,746 cases with 44,843 recoveries and 1,330 deaths. The current active cases are 4,573.

PRIBADI WICAKSONO (CONTRIBUTOR)