VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo has issued new instructions under which sanctions will be imposed on those individuals, businesses, and providers of public facilities and services who violate the health protocols. (ANTARA/HO-Kris-Secretariat of President)

President Joko Widodo has issued new instructions under which sanctions will be imposed on individuals, businesses, and providers of public facilities and services found flouting the health protocols promulgated in view of COVID-19.

The President signed the presidential instruction (Inpres) No. 6 of 2020 concerning the Improvement of Discipline and Law Enforcement of Health Protocols in the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 on August 4, 2020.

“The sanctions referred to (in the Inpres will be) in the form of: verbal or written reprimands, social work (community service), administrative fines, and suspension or temporary closure of business operations," as per a copy of the Inpres obtained here on Wednesday from the official website of the Ministry of State Secretariat.

The government has issued separate protocols for the protection of individuals and communities. The protocols for individual protection include using masks that cover the nose, mouth, and chin outside the house or while interacting with others whose health status is unknown; cleaning hands regularly; limiting physical interaction with others; and, increasing immunity by following Clean and Healthy Life Behavior (PHBS).

The health protocols for community protection include organizing campaigns and using information media to raise awareness and educate people about COVID-19 prevention and control, ensuring easy access to hand-washing facilities and soap, and providing hand sanitizers.

The rules also cover health screening and monitoring of all those who are active, measures to ensure physical distancing, cleaning of the environment periodically, maintaining discipline among people at COVID-19 risk, providing early detection facilities, and handling cases in anticipation of the spread of infections.

Under the new rules, the obligation to comply with the health protocols lies with individuals, businesses, managers, organizers, or those responsible for public places and facilities.

The public places and facilities covered by the Inpres are offices, businesses and industries, schools, places of worship, stations, terminals, ports, airports, public transportation, private vehicles, shops, modern and traditional markets, pharmacies and drug stores, food stalls, restaurants and cafes, street vendors, hotels, tourist attractions, health service facilities, and public areas and public places.

"Individuals, business actors, managers, organizers, or persons in charge of public places and facilities must facilitate the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control (measures),” according to the presidential instruction.

Disciplinary enforcement of the health protocols has been further laid down in the regulations of governors, district heads, or mayors. According to the Inpres, in drafting regional regulations, administrations must pay attention and adjust to the local wisdom of each region.

The presidential instruction also regulates dissemination of information or educational material on prevention and control of COVID-19 by involving the community, religious leaders, traditional leaders, community leaders, and other elements of society. (ANTARA)