Jakarta and Bali's Restriction Level Rises to 3, with Adjustments

TheIndonesia.id - The level of community activity restrictions (PPKM) in several agglomeration areas including Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek), has been raised to three, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has said.

"Based on the current assessment, areas such as Jabodetabek, Yogyakarta, Bali, and Bandung will be on Level 3 PPKM. This is not due to the high number of cases, but due to low tracing," Pandjaitan, who is also the PPKM coordinator for Java and Bali, said at a press conference on PPKM evaluation on Monday, February 7, 2022.

Further, the PPKM level in Bali has been raised due to an increase in hospitalizations, Pandjaitan added. He also outlined several adjustments to Level 3 PPKM, with regulations tightened for the elderly, people with comorbidities, and unvaccinated groups.

The decision was taken since Omicron's characteristics are different from the Delta variant's, he explained. Although the Omicron is transmitted more quickly, its severity is lower than the Delta variant, he said. However, the elderly, people with comorbidities, and unvaccinated people still face a high risk when exposed to Omicron, he added.

The government has made a number of adjustments to the policy, he said. For instance, it will allow export-oriented and domestic industries to operate at 100 percent capacity if they have an Operational and Industrial Activity Mobility Permit (IOMKI) and at least 75 percent of their employees are fully vaccinated, he elaborated. The activities in the factory must also be performed using the PeduliLindungi application, he added.

Furthermore, supermarkets, malls, and shopping centers have been allowed to operate until 9 p.m., with the number of visitors capped at 60 percent, he said.

"Children less than 12 years old must be vaccinated with the first dose, at least. Children's playgrounds and entertainment venues can operate with 35 percent capacity, proof of vaccination is required for children under 12 years old," Pandjaitan informed.

Meanwhile, kiosks, restaurants, and cafes have been allowed to operate until 9 p.m. with 60 percent visitor capacity, he said. "Cinemas are still open with children under 12 years old being allowed to enter, but they must have received the first dose of vaccination," he added.

Places of worship can open at a limited capacity of 50 percent, while other public places and arts/cultural activities can operate at 25 percent capacity, he informed.

"We will continue to see the development by this week. We do not (want to) disrupt our economy and scare the community as well," he remarked.