VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Three cities and two districts in West Java have been declared red zones, or areas with a high risk of COVID-19 transmission, prompting local authorities to tighten public activities and conduct mass testing.

“Red zones in West Java this week are Bogor city, Depok city, Bekasi district, Cirebon city, and Cirebon district,” West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said at a press conference held after the West Java Provincial Task Force for COVID-19 Response gave its weekly report on Monday.

The governor said the provincial government is also focusing on clusters of COVID-19 transmission at several Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in Kuningan district.

"Right now, West Java has pesantren clusters (of COVID-19 transmission) in Kuningan district, where we will conduct mass testing, according to the pattern in Ciayumajakuning. There is an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in several areas there," he elaborated.

In Kuningan, micro-scale social restrictions (PSBM) have been imposed at the pesantren, village, and sub-district levels. The PSBM has so far been considered effective in containing the spread of COVID-19 in West Java.

The pesantren cluster emerged as many students and teachers often go out of pesantren compounds, he said.

West Java Vice Governor Uu Ruzhanul Ulum said the provincial government is coordinating with concerned parties to apply health protocols at pesantren.

The local authorities will conduct swab testing at several pesantren this week, he added. (Antaranews)