VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Government will allow regional administrations to apply large-scale social restrictions to stem the spread of the new coronavirus disease as physical distancing has not been effective due to lack of public discipline.

"Physical distancing, which is the key to successful controlling of the transmission of COVID-19, needs to be strengthened since, in the past few days, it has been impeded by a lack of public discipline. Therefore, the government is letting regional administrations propose large-scale social distancing," spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, Ahmad Yurianto, said on Wednesday at the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) building in Jakarta.

By allowing regional governments to apply large-scale social restrictions, physical distancing can be implemented more effectively in the country, he said.

"With large-scale social distancing (measures in place), the public will be encouraged to be disciplined," he said.

Large-scale social distancing measures should not be misconstrued as prohibitions, but seen as restrictions, he said adding that the public must keep in mind that coronavirus carriers are humans.

"The spread of the coronavirus runs parallel to the activities of human beings and that must be restricted,” he said.

The restrictions are necessary since many positive coronavirus patients show no or minimal symptoms, he clarified. It is possible that people who feel healthy but have been exposed to the virus are continuing to mingle in the community, he continued.

"On the other hand, many vulnerable people are still ignoring physical distancing and are not washing hands, so the transmission of the disease has continued. That is the reason why the government is intending to strengthen it (social distancing)," he said. (antara)