Indonesia Will Impose Stricter COVID-19 Measure for Year-End Holidays

TheIndonesia.id - The Indonesian government will impose Level 3 of community activities restrictions, or PPKM, nationally during the Christmas and New Year break to prevent a spike in cases after the public holidays.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy announced the decision on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

“During Christmas and New Year, all regions in Indonesia will enforce the rules and regulations applicable in Level 3 PPKM,” Effendy said in a statement.

The Minister added that the move is expected to limit public mobility to prevent a spike post-holiday. Level 3 will also be imposed on regions that are previously enforcing Level 1 and 2 PPKM.

The Level 3 PPKM will start from December 24, 2021, to January 2, 2022, and the government is currently waiting for ministerial instruction from the Ministry of Home Affairs on the implementation.

“The instruction will act as a guideline for the handling of COVID-19 during the Christmas and New Year holidays, and it will be set no later than November 22,” the Minister explained.

In addition to the ministerial instruction, Effendy also urged ministries and state agencies, police, and local governments to prepare a circular letter and operational details to support the implementation of Level 3 PPKM.

The Rules

According to the previous ministerial instruction, Level 3 PPKM regulates that places of worship, movie theaters, restaurants, and malls can only receive visitors to up to 50 percent of total capacity and only until 9 p.m. Strict health protocols must also be implemented and closely monitored. It also regulates that public facilities, like city squares, will be closed.

Effendy said this year-end Level 3 PPKM will prohibit fireworks shows, parades, or any large crowds.

Previously, the government has announced a number of orders to anticipate the holidays during the pandemic. It warned the public not to go on vacation or head back to their hometown (mudik) if not urgently necessary; authorities also regulate that people who will use the public transportation must show proof of vaccination.

Workers, including civil servants and those in the private sectors, are also not allowed to take a leave during the year-end holidays.