The regional administrations in the Greater Jakarta area have decided to prohibit app-based ride-hailing ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers from transporting passengers during a partial lockdown despite a new ministerial regulation saying otherwise.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan had announced earlier that ride-hailing ojek were not allowed to transport passengers and were only permitted to transport goods while large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) were in effect in the capital, in accordance with Health Ministry Regulation No. 9/2020 on PSBB implementation guidelines.
The Jakarta Governor made the decision to extend the restrictions area – initially slated to end on 23rd April 2020 – for another 28 days after consulting with health experts and the Jakarta Health Agency.
The Jakarta administration announced that the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) will be extended until 21st May 2020 due to COVID-19 outbreak has yet to subside.
“The key to implementing PSBB measures is for all parties to be disciplined,” The governor said during a press briefing at City Hall on 22nd April 2020.
“If we are disciplined, stay at home and reduce our activities outside, We hope this outbreak will be overcome soon.”
The governor also urged Muslims to conduct religious rituals during Ramadan, such as tarawih (evening prayers), at home with their families rather than in congregations. He also urged Jakartans not not to participate in the Idul Fitri mudik (exodus) in compliance with the government’s recent ban.
This year, Ramadan will last from 24th April until 24th May 2020.
Anyone found violating the PSBB measures, such as individuals participating in public gatherings and offices of nonessential companies remaining open, will be punished to educate the public, the governor went on to say.
Under the PSBB regulations, all workplaces, except those in essential sectors such as the financial, fuel, food, medicine, retail, water, communications and logistic sectors, must remain closed and implement work-from-home policies.
Nonessential workplaces found operating during the PSBB period will be sealed up, while their business licenses will be revoked if they continue to violate the restrictions.
“The provincial administration and the Industry Ministry are reviewing the businesses that previously received permits to continue operating during the PSBB period. If we find that they are not in an essential sector, [the administration] will ask the ministry to review their permits,” the governor said.
The Jakarta administration will continue to distribute social aid to around eligible 1.2 million families including packages of staple food, cloth masks and soap worth around Rp. 150,000 (US$9.63).
The governor added that the administration would update its data on the social aid beneficiaries, as many people were continuing to lose their jobs due to the crisis. The updated data and distribution map will be able to the public at corona.jakarta.go.id.
Jakarta, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, had recorded 3,383 cases with 301 fatalities and 322 recoveries as of 22nd April 2020. Nationwide, 7,418 cases have been recorded with 635 fatalities.
While the number of confirmed cases is continuing to increase, the governor said fewer bodies had been buried according to COVID-19 protocol following the implementation of PSBB measures.