South Tangerang Extends PSBB; 200 Daily Swab Tests

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - South Tangerang Mayor Airin Rachmi Diany has decided to extend the large-scale social restrictions or PSBB in the city until 12 July 2020. The city has expended the PBSS four times, the last one from June 15 to 28.

However, she said that there are relaxations for some sectors in this period, such as restaurants, where diners can now dine-in.

"Mr. Governor [of Banten] has decided to extend the PSBB from 28 June to 12 July," Airin said in a written statement, June 29.

Airin hopes that the period extension will make residents of the city more concerned with personal health, and continue to wear masks and keep their distance, as well as complying with health protocols to prevent Covid-19 transmission.

According to Airin, local scopes or community-based social restrictions have been proven able to curb the number of red zones in South Tangerang.

Meanwhile, South Tangerang City Health Office head, Deden Deni, said that the department has conducted more than 5,000 swab tests, of which 500 people tested positive. 

"The most is in Pondok Aren sub-district. Every day, there are 100 to 200 specimens examined. For the initial examination, we do it in Litbangkes, so we have to wait several days for results," he said.

Read also: South Tangerang Extends Coronavirus Emergency Period

MUHAMMAD KURNIANTO