Don't Want a Large-Scale Lockdown, COVID-19 Task Force: Lockdown First the People

JAKARTA - The Head of the COVID-19 Task Force, Ganip Warsito, emphasized that the government has no plans to impose a large-scale regional quarantine or lockdown.

According to Ganip, the application of population mobility restrictions in Micro-Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) can be used as a key to controlling COVID-19. The main way in these restrictions is to do a lockdown at the individual level.

"Before we talk about bigger restrictions or lockdowns, first the individual lockdowns, first the individual lockdowns", said Ganip at the COVID-19 Task Force coordination meeting, Monday, June 28.

Ganip explained, the purpose of individual lockdowns is that every community protects itself from the transmission of COVID-19, especially wearing masks.

"At the very least, with individual restrictions or lockdowns, everyone is legally obliged to wear a mask. Because masks are one of the fortresses to prevent the transmission of COVID-19", said Ganip.

The second way is to quarantine at the smallest community level, namely the family. "Secondly, we can lockdown at the community level, namely the family. This family is locked down by staying at home. There is no need to go out if there is no essential need", he added.

According to Ganip, this must be controlled by the apparatus or implementers of the micro PPKM post in the field. If each region consistently monitors the limitation of micro PPKM in its territory, it can reduce or prevent the emergence of more massive transmission.

"Making the rules there, for example in one village there are four roads, only one road is used. Other roads are closed so that the traffic of people or goods can be monitored properly", said Ganip.

"Then restrictions on social activities by disbanding crowds firmly, eliminating social activities must also be enforced properly", he added.