Emergency Public Activity Restrictions in Java and Bali during COVID-19 Pandemic
We published a newsletter regarding the emergency public activity restrictions in Java and Bali during COVID-19 pandemic. To view the PDF version, please click the following link. →Emergency Public Activity Restrictions in Java and Bali during COVID-19 Pandemic
Emergency Public Activity Restrictions in Java and Bali
during COVID-19 Pandemic
July 2021
１．Introduction
In Indonesia, on 2 July 2021, the Minister for Home Affairs’ Instruction No. 15/2021 was issued concerning the Implementation of emergency public activity restrictions (Pemberlakuan Pembatasan Kegiatan Masyarakat (PPKM)) in Java and Bali in response to the rapid spread of coronavirus in the regions.
２．Emergency public activity restrictions
This instruction will introduce stricter restrictions on activities in Java and Bali than micro-scale public activity restrictions that have been in place until now. This instruction was issued by the Minister of Home Affairs in response to the President’s intention to reduce the number of new infections to under 10,000 per day in Indonesia, where the number of infections has exceeded 20,000 per day for six consecutive days.
The following is an overview of the emergency public activity restrictions.
(1) Affected area
This restirction applies to 48 regions and cities designated as Level 4 and 75 regions and cities designated as Level 3 in Java and Bali (Paragraphs 1 and 3 of the Instruction)
(2) Restrictions
(i) Restrictions on business
Major restrictions on business activities are as follows:
a. Educational activities in schools, universities, etc. are conducted online (Paragraph 3(a) of the Instruction). b. 100% work from home for non-essential sector (essential sectors include finance, banking, information and communication, payment systems, hotels which do not handle quarantine, export orientation industries) (Section 3(b) of the Instruction) c. Up to 50% work at office is allowed for essential sectors (Notification 3(c)(1) of the Instruction) d. Up to 25% work at office is allowed for essential work in government sectors conducting public works that cannot be delayed (Section 3(c)(2) of the Instruction). e. 100% work at office are allowed for critical sectors (energy, logistics, food, national strategic projects, electricity and water, etc.) (Section 3(c)(3) of the Instruction). f. Supermarkets and other grocery stores can open until 8:00 pm, with a visitor capacity of 50% (Paragraph 3(c)(4) of the Instruction). g. Pharmacies are open 24 hours (Section 3(c)(5) of the Instruction) h. Restaurants, cafes, food stalls, etc. are for delivery/take-out only (Paragraph 3(d) of the Instruction). i. Shopping malls are temporarily closed (access to (e) critical sectors and (h) restaurants etc. are allowed (Section 3(e) of the Instruction). j. Public facilities are temporarily closed (Section 3(h) of the Instruction). k. Construction projects will be 100% operated (Section 3(f) of the Instruction).
(ii) Restrictions on traffic
For long-distance domestic travel by private car, motorcycle, or long-distance public transportation, a vaccination certificate is required to be presented (Paragraph 3, 1(L)(1) of the Instruction). However, drivers of logistics and other cargo transport vehicles are exempted from the requirement to possess a vaccination certificate (Paragraph 3, 1(L)(4) of the Instruction).
In addition, for travel by air to/from Java and Bali, a negative PCR test certificate with a specimen taken within two days prior to departure is required in addition to the above vaccination certificate (Paragraph 3, 1(L)(2) and (3) of the Instruction). For travel by transportation other than air, a negative certificate for a rapid antigen test taken within one day prior to departure is required (Paragraph 3, 1(L)(2) of the Instruction).
The above regulations do not apply to travel within Jakarta. However, public transportation such as taxi and Grab are limited to 70% of capacity (Paragraph 3(j) of the Instruction).
(3) Penalty
Penalty will be imposed to businesses, restaurants, malls, public transportation facilities, and individuals who violate the instruction (Paragraph 10 of the Instruction).
(4)Period
This measure is in effect from 3 July through 20 July (Paragraph 13 of the Instruction) with the possibility of extension.
３．The actual situation in Jakarta
(1) Transportation
As there was no restrictions on traffice within the Jakarta Special Administrative Region, there was a reasonable amount of traffic on Saturday 3 July, the first day of the restrictions. However, Sudirman Street in the center of the city was closed for the purpose of “banning sports that could cause infection.”
In addition, as malls are closed and restaurants are only offering delivery/takeout, there were a great number of bikes for delivery services such as Go Food and Grab Food. We can expect that these online service business, which saw sales increase last year, will become more and more active in the future.
(2) Construction
As mentioned above, even under the emergency public activity restrictions, construction projects are allowed to operate at 100%. In fact, I saw construction works operated as usual in the streets of Jakarta. It seems to me that this shows the current approach of Indonesia which is comitted to develop the economy while protecting the health of the people.
(3) Mall
As stated in the Instruction, all malls in Jakarta are basically closed, with only pharmacies and grocery stores open as exceptions. Eating and drinking in restaurants is prohibited, and basically only delivery and takeout services such as Go Food and Grab Food are available.
I actually visited the mall on the first day of the emergency public activity restrictions, and found that the clothing section was completely closed with the merchandise removed. On the other hand, there were a resonable number of customers in the grocery stores and pharmacies.
(4)Antigen test
In Indonesia, antigen tests, which cost about 150,000 rupiah (about 1,155 yen), are more commonly used than the PCR test, which costs about 1.5 to 3 million rupiah (about 11,550 to 23,100 yen). Antigen tests are often offered in a tent in front of a large office building, and you can walk in without an appointment and get the results in about 10 minutes.
Some companies may require that you receive a negative result from antigen test before visiting them. However, since the result of antigen tests is less accurate than the PCR test, the PCR test may be required for important cases such as submission to government agencies. In addition,while PCR test tests either the nasal mucosa or saliva, antigen test is available only for the nasal mucosa in many testing venues.
４．Conclusiton
In accordance with the government’s instructions, we have closed our office in Indonesia and are now working completely from home. While we normally work remotely connecting Japan, ASEAN and India in the Indonesian office and there is no major impact on our business operations, many companies in Jakarta are now facing business stagnation.
As the Minister for Home Affairs Instruction is expeted to last until 20, we need to carefully monitor the situation including extension.
We would be happy to hear from you anytime if you have any concerns including the current situation in Jakarta.
｜ 次へ »
