"The prohibition outside the city is specifically for civil apparatuses, military soldiers, members of the National Police Force, state-owned enterprise employees during the long holiday weekend related to Lunar New Year activities," he informed at an online press conference in Jakarta on Monday.
Minister Hartarto said the measure is aimed at reducing the number of positive cases and lowering the COVID curve as a precondition for the successful handling of COVID-19 and national economic recovery.
He explained that the COVID-19 cases in Java and Bali provinces account for 66 percent of all cases recorded nationally, with the national positivity rate reaching 17.96 percent as of February 7, 2021.
Due to public activity restrictions (PPKM) in DKI Jakarta, the addition of COVID-19 cases has begun to flatten, in line with several other areas, such as , East Java, Yogyakarta, and Banten, which have also reported a decline in cases, he said.
On the other hand, West Java and Bali have still seen an increase in COVID-19 cases, which has led to President Joko Widodo's directives to impose restrictions on Micro Community Activities (PPKM), or at the local level, from February 9 to February 22, 2021, he explained.
"Of course there needs to be a more micro approach in accordance with the direction of the President, namely up to the village or sub-district level," he said.
Not only that, the government has also made changes to regulatory policies for domestic and international travel to curb COVID-19, he informed.
"Where the (rules cover the) implementation of protocols and arrangements for domestic travel, including the tightening of health protocols related to testing both for PCR tests and antigens," he said.
Hartarto said the implementation of protocols and arrangements for Domestic Travel Actors (PPDN) includes tightening of health protocols, test-related obligations (PCR, antigen, and GeNose), implementation of random tests, and restrictions on long or religious holidays.
The protocols and arrangements for International Travel Actors (PPI) cover prohibition of entry into Indonesian territory for foreign nationals, except for those who meet certain criteria, tightening of health protocols, obligations related to tests (PCR and antigen), and centralized quarantine obligations. (INE)
Related news: Minister announces tighter COVID-19 restrictions in Java, Bali
Related news: COVID situation improving in Java, Bali post restrictions: official
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Astrid Faidlatul Habibah/Aria
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
