Samarinda Government plans to temporarily close Balikpapan to suppress the number of COVID-19 cases in East Kalimantan. (Image via Merdeka.com)

Samarinda to implement regional lockdown on Balikpapan

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Politics & Economic
Regulation
Mar 31, 2020
4944
The Samarinda Government in East Kalimantan plans to close entrances to and from Balikpapan in order to prevent the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak on the land. The news was confirmed by the Mayor of Samarinda, Syahrie Jaang.

Speaking in Samarinda, Syahrie said that the plan had been discussed with the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) in Samarinda, capital of the East Kalimantan on Monday. He also apologized to the people of Balikpapan for the inconvenience.

Syahrie explained that the land access to Balikpapan via highway and via Loa Janan will be closed temporarily. For water access, Mahakam River will be temporarily closed. The access closure is expected to last for three days. Regarding the extension, it depends on the situation.

The closure only applies to personal vehicles and public transportation. Therefore, medical logistics and freights are still allowed. Syahrie also noted that volunteers for COVID-19 are always welcomed, of course, after the policy is consulted with the Balikpapan Government.

To monitor the traffic, Syahrie said that guard posts will be established in the accesses of Samarinda.

Per Monday, East Kalimantan noted 17 positive cases, with Balikpapan dominating the figures with 12 cases. East Kalimantan also monitors 169 patients. From the number 84 were tested negative and 58 are still waiting for the lab result. There are 2,210 people under surveillance.

East Kalimantan COVID-19 task force reminded the residents of East Kalimantan to stay home and maintain personal hygiene.

Source: https://bit.ly/39x5ycW

Politics , Lockdown , Medical , Health , Pandemic , Regulation , COVID-19 , ASEAN , Indonesia , Kalimantan , Samarinda , Balikpapan