Jakartans React to Possible Return of Stricter Social Restrictions
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18 August 2020 11:46 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following Jakarta’s increasing COVID-19 infection rate that is seemingly becoming more-and-more out of control, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan reportedly weighing the option to halt the transitional large-scale social restriction (PSBB).
This is considered by the administration “pulling the city’s emergency brake” policy, which is designed to impose stricter restrictions to slash Jakarta’s positivity rate which has steadily grew in the past three weeks from 5 percent to 8.9 percent according to the administration.
Despite being below the 10 percent critical level, Anies Baswedan has hinted about imposing the “emergency brake” policy.
Responding to talks about further restricting COVID-19 physical distancing measures, Tempo asked Jakartans about their reaction to this news.
What do people think?
A marketing department employee at one of Jakarta’s private firms, Edwin Garcia (25), argues that the government needs to reintroduce the full-on large-scale social restriction (PSBB) especially considering the viral spread in office clusters.
“PSBB is due to be reintroduced considering the spread in office clusters and many people are not abiding by the COVID-19 protocols. Office work can be done remotely from home,” said Edwin to Tempo on Tuesday, August 18.
His stand on the government protocol was echoed by an employee of a private firm based in one of Jakarta’s office hubs in Sudirman, Jeni Sumardi (30), who argues that public health needs to be put forth even though he is fully aware that it would deeply affect his employer.
However, representing the professions that cannot be separated from being physically in the field is Supri (36), a driver of an online ride-hailing firm, who feels that his income would be reduced near to nothing if another period of social restriction “lockdown” is imposed by the government.
“I personally object it. I can’t get passengers, even though I can still deliver food orders would be limited and will be competitive among drivers,” said Supr.
Read: Anies Baswedan Asked for COVID-19 Emergency Brake as Cases on Rise
ACHMAD HAMUDI ASSEGAF | DA
