PSBB Provides Lesser Options For The Central Government To Handle COVID-19

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo issued Government Regulation (PP) Number 21 of 2020 concerning Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) to accelerate the handling of COVID-19.

This regulation was made by President Jokowi so that local governments can set the PSBB in their area to break the chain of spreading the virus.

A number of circles think that this policy is not optimal compared to the regional quarantine which is also regulated in Law Number 6 of 2018 concerning Health Quarantine. The issuance of this PSBB policy was also seen as an attempt by the central government to be irresponsible of meeting basic needs during the implementation of the PSBB, instead leaving it to the local government.

The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy corrects this assumption. According to him, the central government is serious in handling COVID-19 by issuing this policy, especially by issuing a social safety net program.

"The central government will take it very seriously. The central government has allocated Rp110 trillion for the JPS (Social Security Network) program," Muhadjir said when contacted by reporters, Wednesday, April 1.

He explained that the PSBB determination was intended because the government had more flexible options in providing assistance as long as this status was running. This is different from regional quarantine, where the government is obliged to meet basic needs and livestock needs.

"The government has a more lenient option, namely through the JPS scheme, social safety net or social assistance," he said.

After determining the status of a public health emergency, President Jokowi also issued a Government Regulation that supports the PSBB policy.

In Article 1 of the PP, it is stated that Large-Scale Social Restrictions are restrictions on certain activities of residents in an area suspected of being infected with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in such a way as to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19.

Furthermore, in Article 2 of Government Regulation Number 21 of 2020, it is explained that each local government can implement the PSBB in their area. With a note, its application must be approved by the Minister of Health.

The criteria for implementing the PSBB are regulated in Article 3 of the PP. The limitation can be implemented if two conditions are met, such as the number of cases and / or the number of deaths due to the disease increases and spreads significantly and rapidly to several areas; and there are epidemiological links to similar incidents in other regions or countries.

Furthermore, Article 4 explains that the implementation of this PSBB includes school and workplace holidays; restrictions on religious activities; and / or restrictions on activities in public places or facilities.

In Article 4 Paragraph 2 of this PP it is written that the activity restrictions that have been described must take into account the educational needs, work productivity and worship of the population.

Then in Article 4 Paragraph 3 explains that restrictions on activities in public places or facilities must pay attention to basic fulfillment.

Komnas HAM commissioner Choirul Anam asked the government to continue to ensure and provide guarantees even though in Article 4 Paragraph 3 PP Number 21 the words written only 'pay attention'. Moreover, due to the spread of this virus, many people have been affected economically.

"We hope that, although the phrase 'pay attention' is used in the PP, it is interpreted as a guarantee for the fulfillment of people's basic needs," said Choirul in a written statement some time ago.

He considered that the success or failure of the PSBB policy set by the government depends on meeting the basic needs of the community.

"If this limitation cannot fulfill the guarantee of people's basic needs, it is feared that the restriction policy will not be maximized."