Jakarta extends social restrictions
JAKARTA: The capital city administration has extended the transitional period of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) for another two weeks until Nov 22.
This was part of continued efforts to curb the spread of Covid19 here, according to The Jakarta Post.
The city administration claimed that a 55 per cent decline of the virus transmission was seen within the last 14 days.
While 12,481 new active cases were reported on Oct 24, the number dropped to 8,026 on Saturday.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan added that the administration would only impose full PSBB, the emergency brake policy, if there was a surge in infections that could cripple the healthcare system.
Full PSBB was implemented in the capital city on Sept 14 after health authorities recorded a surge in new active cases, and restrictions were relaxed on Oct 12.
“We need to stay alert. Don’t let the improving situation catch us off guard.
“Although it has slowed down, the transmission is still happening,” Anies said on Sunday, urging residents here to adhere to strict health protocols.
Based on statistics gathered by the provincial administration, the bed occupancy rate in Covid19 referral hospitals saw a reduction from 66 per cent on Oct 10, to 56 per cent on Saturday.
On another note, the city administration is also considering allowing couples to hold their wedding receptions at multifunction halls starting next week.
Previously, public wedding receptions were not allowed in the national capital as part of the large-scale social restrictions, allowing only small wedding ceremonies at religious affairs offices, civil registry offices, or the couple’s home.
“We may allow wedding ceremonies and receptions in public halls under several terms,” Jakarta deputy governor Ahmad Riza Patria said.
The wedding events are expected to contribute to the captital city’s economic recovery during the Covid-19 outbreak, but the public must adhere to strict health protocols.