This means that, so far, the PSBB has worked and (it) will be continued. However, some aspects need to be improved in order to optimize our effort to break the COVID-19 transmission chain.
Palembang (ANTARA) - The Palembang municipality administration has extended Large-Scale Social Distancing measures by another 14 days to optimize the results achieved in the first round of the PSBB to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

"We will soon file a report regarding this PSBB extension with the South Sumatra governor as well as the Ministry of Health," Palembang Mayor Harnojoyo said after an evaluation meeting on Tuesday.

Palembang residents were diligent in conforming to the guidelines during the first round (May 21 to June 2), with 99.7 percent of residents donning masks while performing outdoor activities, Harnojoyo noted.

There were still some 105 cases of breaches, and violators faced social sanctions as punishment, however, the trend of daily cases showed a decline, he added.

Research conducted by the Department of Public Health, Universitas Sriwijaya, has shown that around 30 percent people have continued with their usual activities by staying at home, while 16 percent are going to office, 15 percent are venturing out for accessing healthcare facilities, while another 5 percent are visiting the markets.

The transmission rate of coronavirus, as per the Rt (reproduction number) calculation, in Palembang has also declined to 0.92, as recorded on June 1, 2020, from 1.29, as recorded on May 22, 2020.

"This means that, so far, the PSBB has worked and (it) will be continued. However, some aspects need to be improved in order to optimize our effort to break the COVID-19 transmission chain," Harnojoyo said.

In the second round of PSBB, people would be allowed to carry out activities as usual, as military and police personnel will be deployed in some spots to ensure people comply with the health protocols.

Traditional markets have opened, while houses of worship will reopen after the Religion Affairs Ministry's decision. But, students will continue to study at home.

Palembang has registered about 576 positive cases of COVID-19 between March 24 and June 1 this year, with 117 recoveries and 21 deaths. The Department of Public Health, Universitas Sriwijaya, has projected COVID-19 cases will peak on June 8. (INE)


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Translator: Aziz Munajar, Suwanti
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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