Jakarta Governor Announces Coronavirus Emergency Status
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20 March 2020 20:26 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan officially announces that the capital city will operate under the 'coronavirus emergency response' status as of Friday, March 20, 2020. The status will be effective for the next 14-days. However, it may be extended depending on future developments.
"[This decision has been] discussed with the Metro Jaya Police Chief, Jakarta military commander [Pangdam Jaya] and the national COVID-19 task force chairman," said Anies Baswedan in a press conference aired from Facebook live stream service on Friday, March 20, 2020.
Moreover, Anies said that with the emergency status in effect, the Jakarta government, with the help of police and military personnel, will put more efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. The governor also asserted that Jarata residents need to comply with the government's call for social distancing.
"We will need the cooperation and support from the public," he said.
Anies also mentioned the importance of people's compliance with the notion of social distancing. "The responsibility to choose to stay at home, to not conduct outdoor activities, which protects us and others. That is what being responsible is," said Anies Baswedan.
The press conference also announced that the Jakarta Tourism Agency has closed all entertainment businesses run under the local government since the past week and urges others to do the same starting on Monday, March 23, 2020.
The Jakarta administration will also limit the use of public transportation and its passengers. This will be applied to trains and buses by limiting operational hours. The governor also said queues for public transport must be done in open spaces.
"The entire administration personnel, police, and military will standby in the field starting on Monday to make sure of the discipline," said Anies Baswedan.
The governor's decision comes after the Indonesian COVID-19 spokesman announces the rising number of coronavirus cases to a total of 369 cases on Friday, March 20, 2020. The number of lives lost because of the outbreak had also increased to 32 people.
ADAM PRIREZA | TEMPO.CO
