Jokowi Orders Local Governments to Make Face Covering Mandatory
Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has signed an executive order calling on governors, district heads and mayors to issue regulations that make face covering mandatory during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The executive order provides guidelines for the local leaders to reinforce the health protocols by punitive measures against individuals, business entities, schools, shops, hotels, resort areas, medical facilities, worship places, dining premises and transport operators who ignore the health protocols.
It says that people must wear a mask “covering nose, mouth and chin area” when leaving home.
Offices and other public places must provide proper sanitation where people can wash their hands and ensure that physical distancing is observed.
Ignoring the mandate could risk sanctions ranging from reprimand, social works, fines, and temporary closure of business premises, according to the executive order published by the State Secretariat on Wednesday.
When drafting the regulation, regional governments “must take into consideration the local wisdom” of the respective region and involve local community figures and religious leaders, it says.
The executive order is also directed to the Indonesian Military chief and the National Police chief for deployment of their officers to help local governments enforce the regulation.
The National Police should work together with the military “to send patrols overseeing the implementation of the health protocols by the public” and “enforce the law against any violation”, it says.