Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) instructed Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto to promptly finalize a ministerial regulation on criteria for regions allowed to apply large-scale social distancing measures (PSBB).

The regulation must be completed within the subsequent two days, Jokowi stated at a limited cabinet meeting via teleconferencing at the Bogor Palace, West Java, on Thursday.

The ministerial regulation is intended to be a follow up to Government Regulation Number 21 of 2020 on PSBB and Presidential Decree Number 11 of 2020 on Declaring Community Health Emergency over coronavirus (COVID-9).

The regulation stipulates that local governments can apply PSBB that comprise restrictions on the movement of people and goods in provincial or district/city areas with approval of the minister in charge of health affairs.

According to the regulation, the application of PSBB must be based on epidemiological considerations, magnitude of the threat, effectiveness, resource support, as well as operational technical, political, economic, social, cultural, defense, and security considerations.

As per the government regulations, PSBB at least comprises halting school and office activities, applying restrictions on religious activities; and/or restrictions on activities in public places or facilities. Restrictions on school, work, and religious activities according to regulations must still take into account the educational, work productivity, and worship requirements of the population.

At the meeting, the president also urged ministers and regional heads at the provincial, district/city, sub-district, and village levels to harmonize efforts in tune with the policies set by the government on the COVID-19 response and to not make their own policies.

He emphasized that officials at every level of administration must harbor a common vision and follow a similar response mechanism. Related news: Ensure all drugstores, staple food shops remain opened: Jokowi
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Translator: Indra Areif P, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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