Indonesia prepares ‘exit strategies’ to reopen parts of economy

Indonesia is considering plans for a phased resumption of businesses in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy from as early as June 1, with the easing of restrictions aimed at curbing the coronavirus, government documents showed. The proposals come as medical experts have criticized Indonesia for being slow to respond to the outbreak. Its official death toll of 930 is the highest in East Asia outside China.

Still, there is mounting concern about the deepening economic impact of restrictions with at least 2 million people losing their jobs in the past six weeks and poverty increasing.

Officials at the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs have looked at a five-phase plan to reopen some cities under strict health protocols, including wearing masks and social distancing, a document reviewed by Reuters showed.

Shopping malls could reopen on June 8, with schools set to restart a week later, but only if new cases fall and testing targets are met, according to the plan set out in the document.

Beauty salons, cinemas and sport centers may be allowed to operate by June 15, with full reopening seen at the end of July or early August. Raden Pardede, an adviser to the ministry who wrote the document, said it had not been approved and remained a proposal.

BACKGROUND There are deep concerns over the economic impact of restrictions with at least 2 million people losing their jobs in the past six weeks and poverty increasing.

“We have to make an exit plan, but we must comply with health requirements as well,” Pardede said. Asked about timelines suggested in the document, Indonesia’s Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said the government was reviewing progress in close coordination with the disaster mitigation agency to prepare health protocols for each sector.