The health protocol measures were simple but would greatly help healthcare workers, who are the last bastion in the fight against the pandemic, the governor stated here on Saturday.
"We may get bored. However, remember, we are facing an enemy, who does not know boredom. Also bear in mind that our healthcare workers are exhausted and have also reached the threshold of their capacity," he pointed out.
Healthcare workers daily risk their health and that of their families to save the lives of other people, he remarked while referring to those on the frontline in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
"They too have been fighting for months and continue to do so even now. We should help them. We should protect them," he remarked amid a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases nationally, including in Jakarta.
Related news: Some 40 percent of Jakarta's COVID-19 cases are family clusters
Baswedan has issued a Governor Regulation (Pergub) Number 3 of 2021 on tightening Large-Scale Social Distancing (PSBB) measures that restrict people’s movement from Monday (Jan 11) to Jan 25, 2021, as a follow up to the central government’s directives to curtail a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.
"Currently, we are at the highest active case point, so far, at 17,383," he cautioned while calling the situation as worrisome.
The governor affirmed that the tightening of COVID-19 restrictions is part of the transition period towards a safe, healthy, and productive society.
The Indonesian government decided to tighten restrictions on the movement of people in Java and Bali on January 11-25, 2021, to stop a spike in COVID-19 infections.
The country has seen a record rise in daily COVID-19 cases for two consecutive days, registering 9,321 cases on January 7, 2021, and 10,617 on Jan 8. This has brought the total case tally to 808,340. Meanwhile, total recoveries have touched 666,883, while the death toll has reached 23,753.
The measures comprise restrictions on working in office and the implementation of work-from-home advisories by as much as 75 percent, under the observance of stringent health protocols.
All teaching and learning activities will be entirely conducted online.
Essential sectors related to basic needs have been permitted to fully operate by regulating operating hours and capacities and applying strict health protocols.
Shopping centers and malls have been allowed to operate until 7 p.m. local time.
Places of worship have been allowed to remain open, albeit urged to restrict entry to visitors to 50 percent of the capacity and under the implementation of strict health protocols. Related news: Jakarta Governor Baswedan extends PSBB transitional period to Jan 17
Translator: Ricky Prayoga, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
