VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo on Sunday announced the second extension of level 4 public activity restrictions, made effective from July 26 to August 2, as Indonesia still copes with the COVID-19 surge.

"I have decided to extend the level 4 restrictions, but we are making some adjustments of rules related to public activities and mobility," he said in an official statement.

In the statement broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's official YouTube channel on Sunday, President Widodo said cautious measures would be applied when implementing the adjustments.

The extension of the level 4 restrictions in the islands of Java and Bali has considered the aspects of health, economy, and social dynamics of communities, he said.

Due to the considerations, the government has made some adjustments to rules related to the operations of people-based business activities under a strict implementation of health protocols.

Those allowed to serve consumers include vendors at traditional markets selling basic necessities, laundry service providers, barbershops, street vendors, and traditional retailers.

Vendors at traditional markets selling non-staple foods are, for instance, allowed to run their business from morning to 03:00 p.m. local time by applying a maximum 50 percent capacity, he said.

Meanwhile, traditional retailers, laundry service providers, and those running barbershops, among others, could run their businesses from morning to 09:00 p.m. local time.

Those running small food stalls and street vendors could run their business from morning to 08:00 p.m. local time but they are obliged to comply with strict rules of health protocols.

Detailed regulatory and technical guidance for local businesses would be made by regional administrations, he said.

In reducing the burdens on communities and small businesses due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government is committed to providing them with social assistance.

Indonesia has been struggling to deal with a drastic surge in COVID-19 cases in the midst of growing threats of a more contagious Delta variant of coronavirus.

In addressing this alarming situation, the government has been enforcing the emergency and level 4 restrictions in the islands of Java and Bali since July 3, 2021.

On Saturday, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto also held a virtual meeting with heads of regional governments to discuss the enforcement of the level 4 restrictions outside Java and Bali.

At the meeting, Hartarto disclosed the government's assessment that the level 4 public activity restrictions need to be enforced in 45 districts and cities in 21 provinces to curb the spread of COVID-19. (Antaranews)