VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Feb. 11 - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called on regional governments to implement restrictions on community activities (PPKM) through the application of a micro-based approach covering sub-districts, villages, community units (RT), and neighborhood units (RW).

"Do not allow even one person to get infected with the virus in one village, as the whole city will be placed on lockdown. We often go wrong here," Jokowi remarked at the opening of the 6th National Conference of the Association of Indonesian City Governments (APEKSI) from the State Palace in Jakarta, Thursday.

To this end, the head of state highlighted that last week, the government had worked in greater detail by implementing a lockdown on a micro scale.

Jokowi opined that such a step did not tend to impact economic growth or hinder economic activities of the community, in general.

"This is because we enforce a lockdown at the scale of sub-districts, villages, community units (RT), and neighborhood units (RW). Hence, mayors and deputy mayors must conduct a detailed mapping on the spread of COVID-19," he stated.

The president called on them to fully understand the mapping process up to the level of the RW and RT.

"One city cannot be immediately placed on lockdown," he stated.

The president admitted to have learned a lot by observing the processes implemented by other countries that imposed lockdown at the national, provincial, and city level, thereby battering the economy.

To this end, Jokowi urged all parties to exercise caution.

"Treatment and isolation must get serious attention, both in terms of the provision of medicines and hospital beds. The preparedness of medical personnel must be checked and monitored," President Jokowi noted.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, earlier explained the scope of PPKM using a micro-based approach or at the local level that will take effect from February 9, 2021.

The restrictions will remain in place until February 22, 2021.

"The imposition of restrictions on community activities will include restrictions on offices or workplaces, with strict enforcement of health protocols," he had noted at an online press conference in Jakarta on Monday.

The number of workers allowed at offices or workplaces will be limited to 50 percent of the total capacity, and the remaining 50 percent of the workers will be required to work from home (WFH), Minister Hartarto explained.

Teaching and learning activities will remain online, while essential sectors related to community requirements will be allowed to operate at 100-percent capacity, with arrangements regarding capacity and operationalization in accordance with the health protocols, he noted.

Restaurants offering dine-in services will have to limit the capacity to 50 percent, while the operating hours of malls and shopping centers will be curtailed to 9 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

"Orders can still be placed for takeaway or delivery," Hartarto stated. (Antaranews)