Indonesia's Health Minister, Terawan Agus Putranto, approved the PSBB. (Image via Katadata)

Health Ministry approves large-scale social distancing

Indonesia’s Health Minister, Terawan Agus Putranto, reportedly approved the implementation of the large-scale social distancing (PSBB) proposed by the Jakarta government to suppress the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Speaking on Tuesday, General-Secretary of the Health Ministry, Oscar Primadi, confirmed that Terawan will sign the PSBB approval letter for Jakarta no later than today.

Oscar said that the Jakarta Government had completed administration requirements and action plans should the PSBB be implemented. Previously, the PSBB implementation was delayed because Jakarta Government was lacking in completing the requirements.

He added that the PSBB will run into effect once Terawan has signed the approval letter. Previously, the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), had also signed Government Regulations No. 21 of 2020 on PSBB.

According to the Ministerial Regulations No. 9 of 2020 on PSBB Guidelines, Health Ministry approves and the implementation is done by the region. The implementation of PSBB will cover the restriction of school, workplace, religious sites, and mass gatherings (social and culture, and public transportation).

Health Ministry’s spokesperson, Busroni, stated that the letter will be delivered directly to the Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan.

Currently, Jakarta, as the capital of Indonesia, holds the highest number of COVID-19 infection in Indonesia. Per 6 April 2020, Jakarta recorded 1,299 cases.

Source: https://bit.ly/2x9Oj4j