Archive: Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto (right) with Mayor of Depok City in a visit to the Depok Setia Mitra Hospital, West Java, Monday (2/3/2020) (ANTARA

Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto has officially enforced the large scale social distancing measure in West Java Province's Bogor, Depok, and Bekasi areas in order to stem the spread of COVID-19.

The stipulation was stated in the Health Minister Decree Number HK.01.07 / Menkes / 248/2020 signed by the Minister of Health on April 11.

"I need to enforce the large scale social distancing measure (PSBB) for the Bogor District, Bogor City, Depok City, Bekasi District, and Bekasi City, in the effort to accelerate the handling of COVID-19," said Minister Terawan in a statement received in Jakarta, Sunday.

He had approved the proposal for PSBB enforcement to the five areas in West Java Province, based on epidemiological studies and consideration of readiness to carry out the measure.

In accordance with the Decree of the Minister of Health, then the Government of Bogor District, Bogor City, Depok City, Bekasi District, and Bekasi City are obliged to implement the large scale social distancing measure and consistently encourage and promote a clean and healthy lifestyle to the community.

According to the decree, PSBBs in the areas are carried out for the most of the incubation period of 14 days, and could be extended should there be evidences of COVID-19 spread.

On Wednesday, April 8, the Provincial Government of West Java submitted a request for the simultaneous enforcement of PSBB for five parts of its territory to the Ministry of Health.

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said the measure needed to be conducted in Bogor District, Bogor City, Depok City, Bekasi District, and Bekasi City, as the five regions are in a cluster with Jakarta.

Jakarta Province had previously received the approval of the PSBB enforcement from the Minister of Health on 7 April. (ANTARA)