Indonesia considers to reinstate restriction after rise in COVID-19 cases

People in Jakarta wear masks to prevent spread of COVID-19 (Photo: VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) – Head of Indonesia’s COVID-19 task force Doni Monardo said on July 10 that tighter restrictions on home and public gatherings will be reinstated after a double-digit rise in coronavirus cases has been seen for a second straight day.

Indonesia’s Health Ministry said July 9 witnessed another highest single-day rise of coronavirus infections, with 2,657 new cases, bringing the total number of infections nationwide to 70,736. The country has never reported more than 2,000 cases in a day before.

Monardo said as Indonesia braces to gradually reopen the economy, the government has announced that the country’ regions should meet two main conditions to be able to ease COVID-19 mobility restrictions and start welcoming the so-called “new normal”.

Regions should either have maintained zero COVID-19 cases or have witnessed a significant decrease in the number of infections in order to relax curbs and reopen businesses under health protocols, he added.

However, if the regions cannot properly maintain and suppress its COVID-19 cases, the policy will turn around quickly. The government has not ruled out the possibility of tightening social movements in the region again.

Responding to the surge in new cases, President Joko Widodo, on the sidelines of his visit to Central Kalimantan on July 9, said the country was back in a “red light” position. Therefore, he ordered the ministers and all local governments to be aware of the situation and to take action immediately./.