COVID-19 Task Force: Jakarta Is Taking One Step Back to Move Forward

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National COVID-19 task force spokesperson, Wiku Adisasmito, on Thursday’s virtual press conference said that the full-scale social restriction (PSBB) set to be reimposed in Jakarta is necessary to curb the rising number of cases after the city loosened the restriction a while back. 

“We must accept this reality. We are taking one step back to be able to move forward for a better and normal life. Let us all build a collective discipline to avoid a repeat,” said Wiku in the conference from the Presidential Palace on September 10. 

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan on Wednesday announced that the capital city will reintroduce the full-on lockdown known as the large-scale social restriction or PSBB.  

“We have agreed to pull the emergency brake and will impose the PSBB as we did in the early days [of the COVID-19 pandemic],” said the governor, September 9. 

This decision effectively reimplements remote learning, remote working (work from home), and practicing religious rituals or activities at home. 

According to Anies Baswedan, the details of this restriction will be announced soon. He asserted that yesterday’s announcement served as a preparation for September 14, 2020, where the PSBB will be re-enacted.

"Business activities will not be stopped, but the act of working in the office will. Especially offices that are not allowed to operate," Anies said, referring to the city’s policy that only exempts a few offices to continue to operate as it is included in "essential segments."

Read: PSBB Reimposed; Airlangga Says Offices Still Open at 50% Capacity

DEWI NURITA