Epidemiologist Suggests Jakarta Impose Curfew to Curb Virus Spread

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An epidemiologist with the University of Indonesia, Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, opined that Jakarta could impose a curfew policy to limit the people’s movement at night during the large-scale social restriction or PSBB Volume 2.

According to the epidemiologist, curfew could suppress Covid-19 transmission since people are barred from holding gatherings. “To minimize virus spread, [Jakarta] can enforce it,” he said in a phone call with Tempo on Tuesday, September 15.

Tri underlined that the key to preventing Covid-19 is not making a crowd, given droplets released by coughing or sneezing from a positive carrier can reach nearby people.

He argued that the larger the scope of the restriction, the lower the potential of virus spread. “A lockdown in a subdistrict level will surely be more effective,” Tri said.

Previously reported, Bogor city administration imposed a curfew through its micro and community-scale social restriction or PSBMK after it was categorized as the Covid-19 red zone. Mayor Bima Arya claimed the trend in positive cases dropped after the limitation of out-of-home activities at night in the city.

Depok city has also implemented a curfew since late August under the term of the restriction of citizen activities (PAW). Bekasi, meanwhile, reportedly planned to limit the public and business activities at night in the wake of rising cases, pending on the regulation. 

Read: Jakarta Police Deploy 6,800 Joint Personnel to Monitor PSBB Volume 2

LANI DIANA WIJAYA