JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced on Monday (Mar 30) that the government is formulating a regulation that would pave the way for cities and provinces across the country to impose a virtual lockdown, so as to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The regulation would serve as a guideline for regional governments to implement what the president described as “large scale social distancing” and “areal quarantine”, which includes the closing down of non-essential services and a strict movement control order.
Mr Widodo said such measures are needed “to make social distancing policies be implemented in a firmer and more disciplined way”. The regulation would outline when such measures are deemed necessary and can be implemented by cities and provinces, the president said, as well as the lockdown boundaries.
“I want to make sure that pharmacies and stores providing basic necessities remain open and cater to people’s needs while maintaining safe distance protocol,” he said.
“(Regional) governments must provide social welfare protection and economic stimulus for small and medium businesses as well as informal workers (impacted by the lockdown),” Mr Widodo added. “We will announce this (regulation) soon.”
The president said cities and provinces would be able to limit the movement of people under the proposed regulation. However, exceptions would be made for logistics movement, medical workers, police and military personnel as well as government officials.
Full Article Available on : Jokowi Government Formulating Regulation That Would Facilitate Quarantine of Cities to Tackle COVID-19
