Bogor, Depok, Bekasi Set to Extend PSBB to Combat COVID-19

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Regional heads of Jakarta’s supporting regions namely Bogor, Depok, and Bekasi (Bodebek) agreed to extend the enforcement of Large-Scale Social Restrictions or PSBB for the next 14 days. The period extension will be valid starting from the end of its first phase on April 28, 2020.

“We agree to extend the PSBB with the same implementation period and simultaneously in order to ease the monitoring and the evaluation,” said Bogor Regent Ade Yasin after a meeting with Bogor Deputy Mayor Dedie A Rachim, Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi, and a representative of Bekasi Mayor at Bogor Hall, Cibinong, on Sunday afternoon, April 26.

According to her, five regional heads of Bodebek would write to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo regarding the strict physical distancing order so as to adopt it better, considering the ongoing implementation of the policy, which has been kicked off since April 15, 2020, was considered less effective to contain the COVID-19 spread.

“It’s less effective because of several factors, among others are low public awareness, unclear regulations, and contradictions between policies issued by the local and central government,” said the regent, who is also the head of Bogor COVID-19 mitigation task force.

Ade Yasin further opined that the implementation of the social restrictions thus far did not run optimally due to a lack of harmonization of regulations in ministries as well. For example, the policy concerning the restriction of the operation of commuter lines or KRL and the operation of industries.

ANTARA