TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government is reportedly prepared to impose another Covid-19 restriction dubbed the emergency public activity restriction (the Emergency PPKM or PPKM Darurat) following the surge in Covid-19 cases that has nearly overwhelmed a number of hospitals in the country.

However, what differentiates the emergency PPKM plan from a total mobility restriction known as a lockdown?

Unlike the micro public activity restriction or Micro PPKM which is legally based on the Home Affairs Minister’s instruction No.14/2021, the Emergency PPKM still has no legal basis.

The latter is a public policy meant to highly reduce the spread of Covid-19 on a larger scale compared to Micro PPKM, similar to the initial Covid-19 restriction Indonesia imposed in early 2020 called the large-scale social restriction or PSBB.

The Emergency PPKM is basically a derivative of a public activity restriction that affects a broader area in the country that limits the movement and available productive hours across numerous economic sectors with heavy activities. This policy still allows public activities under strict health protocols.

Law No.6/2018 on health quarantines practically made the Indonesian government impose various types of restriction instead of a total lockdown implemented by other countries affected by Covid-19.

Read: Govt May Impose Tougher Covid-19 Restriction in 'Emergency PPKM'

DINA OKTAFERIA