COVID-19: Indonesia imposes restrictions in Java, Bali

JAKARTA, Indonesia

Indonesia on Monday enforced strict restrictions in the islands of Java and Bali for the next two weeks to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Enforcement of Restrictions on Community Activities will continue until Jan. 25 in municipalities and districts with higher number of COVID-19 cases to prevent further transmissions.

All areas in Greater Jakarta are subject to these restrictions as well as Banten, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta East Java and Bali provinces.

On Monday, public transport services in Jakarta have also been reduced, including Commuter Line train service that will run only until 10:00 p.m. local time (1500GMT), two hours earlier than usual.

“The KAI Commuter Line adjusts operating hours from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. (2100-1500GMT), with a capacity of 74 people per car,” the company said on social media.

The train management said the passengers have to comply with health protocols, including use of masks, temperature checks and handwashing, adding that it has also banned communications among passengers and use of cellular phone.

Several restrictions are also put in place by the central and local governments in offices, public transport, shopping centers, restaurants and places of worship.

Only distance education is allowed during the restriction period, apart from work-from-home policy with a maximum of 25% of employees permitted at workplaces.

Shopping centers are only allowed to open until 7:00 p.m. (1200GMT), while restaurants are only allowed to serve dine-ins up to 25% of their capacity.

Places of worship are required to limit attendance to no more than 50% of their maximum capacity.

However, essential sectors, including logistics and construction, are allowed to operate with strict health protocols.

*Writing by Rhany Chairunissa Rufinaldo from Anadolu Agency's Indonesian-language service in Jakarta.