President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)
believes Indonesia is lucky to choose the large-scale social restriction and
distancing policy rather than a lockdown to flatten the curve of the new
coronavirus disease that has spread nationwide.
“Four provinces and 22 districts/cities
have applied the large-scale social restriction and distancing measures,”
he stated during a videoconference held at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on
Thursday.
With the large-scale social restrictions in
place, residents in affected areas can continue to conduct outdoor activities
though being sentient of their obligation to implement the COVID-19 protocols,
such as maintaining physical distancing and avoiding massive gatherings, he
emphasized.
“We are doing our best. We are upbeat that
the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic would soon peter out, though several experts
believe that despite the number of cases descending, the curve will not
directly flatten or the number of cases would be zero,” President Jokowi
expounded.
Until the proven vaccines are available, the
people, at large, must come to terms with the fact that they will have to
co-exist with COVID-19 for a period of time, he noted while urging the public
to remain disciplined in applying the COVID-19 preventive measures.
Many roads in numerous areas wear a desolate
look owing to the enforcement of large-scale social restriction measures.
However, he also received reports on people failing to practice physical
distancing measures, wear face masks, and wash hands, Jokowi pointed out.
The provinces, districts, and cities whose
governments have enforced large-scale social restrictions comprise Jakarta,
West Sumatra, West Java, Banjarmasin, Tarakan, Bandung City, Bandung District,
Bandung Barat, Cimahi, Sumedang, Depok, Bogor City, Bogor District, Bekasi
City, Bekasi District, Tegal, Makassar, Tangerang, Tangerang Selatan,
Pekanbaru, Surabaya, Gresik, and Sidoarjo.
The novel coronavirus disease initially struck
the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019. Since then, it has spread to at
least 202 countries and territories, including Indonesia, with a massive
increase in death toll.
The Indonesian government officially announced
the country’s first confirmed cases on March 2 this year.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has weakened the
purchasing power of scores of Indonesian families, particularly those who have
lost their jobs.
Source: Antara News