Jokowi: Large-Scale Lockdown May Be Detrimental to Economy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo stated that the enforcement of a large-scale lockdown would be highly detrimental to the economy of the affected regions whereas a local one would be proper.

He explained that was because a regional quarantine on a micro-level would be effective to stop the coronavirus transmission without affecting the economic activity of the community.

Thus, he asked regional heads not to hesitate to enforce the micro-scale community activity restrictions or Micro PPKM up to lockdown if necessary.

“If needed, PPKM can be applied but on a micro-level, such as in a village, a community unit or RW, or only a neighborhood unit (RT),” said the state head during the opening of a national conference of the Association of Indonesia Municipal Administrations (Apeksi) as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel on Thursday, February 11.

He also called on all regional heads, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police to not only urge the public to wear face masks but also provide it.

Jokowi assessed that some people did not wear face masks because they could not afford one. “I have another order, provide face masks because sometimes people cannot afford to buy face masks,” he said.

Also Read: Rocky Gerung Deems President Jokowi's Call for Criticism a Paradox

BISNIS.COM