Police to Tighten Patrols as Jakarta Imposes Social Restrictions

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Metro Police Chief Insp. Gen. Nana Sudjana said he would mobilize all units up to Babinkamtibmas, police officers assigned to villages as advisors on security and public order, to ensure the implementation of the large-scale social restriction (PSBB) in the capital.

The officers will ramp up the patrol up to the village areas to disperse the crowds, among others.

"This is an effective step to break the COVID-19 transmission chain. We will conduct the patrol massively, starting from Jakarta Metro Police, Jakarta Provincial Administration, Military Area Command (Kodam), to the lower levels, Babinkamtibmas," said Nana in a live broadcast via Police’s Instagram account on Wednesday, April 8.

Nana explained the police officers would take persuasive action, such as installing banners and making direct appeals. By means, the police will not hesitate to press criminal charges against people who do not comply with the rule three times.

"This is the last resort if the appeal is not followed. Several criminal provisions can be applied to the community," Nana added.

As widely reported, Jakarta administration will impose large-scale social restrictions or PSBB starting Friday, April 10, which will be valid for the next 14 days and subject to extension if the virus transmission is still found.

Groups of more than five people in public spaces and two people riding a motorcycle will be banned. Besides, people who are not wearing face masks will not be allowed to take public transportations.

As of today, April 8, according to data displayed on corona.jakarta.go.id, Indonesia now has 2,738 COVID-19 cases with 1,552 of them in Jakarta. The fatality rate reaches eight percent or 221 people, while only seven percent of the total patients have recovered.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH