Epidemiologist Doubts the Effectiveness of the Second Jakarta PSBB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Griffith University epidemiologist Dicky Budiman on Wednesday said that the reintroduction of Jakarta’s large-scale social restriction (PSBB) will not be effective as he deems the government had imposed a compromised version of the social restriction instead of a total PSBB. 

“It could not be effective as it is in a compromised dosage. It is clear that it will not be effective,” said the epidemiologist on Wednesday.

One of the notable reasons he considers the protocol is not a true restriction comes after the government has allowed offices to operate with a 25 percent maximum capacity, which he argues should be entirely closed for two weeks. 

He maintains that workers should be told to work remotely from home except in essential sectors that involve the livelihood of many people such as hospitals. 

“The dosage is not optimal because of economic, political, and social compromise,” said Budiman. 

The Jakarta large-scale social restriction or PSBB was reintroduced by the city administration on September 14 and will last for two weeks following a rising number of daily cases. The initial PSBB imposed in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic saw only 11 essential business sectors allowed to operate at its minimum capacity.

Read also: Epidemiologist Suggests Jakarta Impose Curfew to Curb Virus Spread

LANI DIANA WIJAYA