Jakarta Extends Large-Scale Social Restriction Until June 4

Jakarta. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan confirmed on Tuesday that the large-scale social restriction, or PSBB, in Jakarta will be extended until June 4 to contain the spread of coronavirus.

In the next two weeks, Anies said he hoped there would be a significant drop in Covid-19 cases so the city could end the restriction.

He asked Jakarta residents to remain disciplined and comply with the PSBB guidelines and health protocol.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Transportation Agency recorded 40,660 violations of PSBB guidelines on the capital's roads from April 10 to May 17.

These violations included not wearing a face mask and exceeding the maximum 50 percent of total capacity requirement in each vehicle.

The head of Jakarta's transportation department, Syafrin Liputo, said his office also had to act on violations of the guidelines in Jakarta's bus terminals.

"We had to seize 64 buses that were operating illegally and violated the PSBB guidelines, including the mudik ban," he said.

The ban was issued to stop people from traveling to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri and potentially spreading the coronavirus in their communities. 

Syafrin said the drivers of the buses were ordered to do community work to atone for their mistake. 

A total of 652 drivers were ordered to clean public facilities around the terminals on May 14–17.

Stricter Traffic Control Before Idul Fitri

The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Mahfud M.D., said he had asked the police and the military to guard toll gates and monitor roads to enforce the mudik ban.

"The mudik ban continues to be enforced and will not be lifted until further notice," Mahfud said in an online press conference after meeting President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Tuesday.