The Jakarta Transitional PSBB Is Extended Again Until August 27th, This Is The Reason

Bundaran HI (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswdan has again extended the transitional Large-Scale Social Restriction (PSBB) period for the fourth time. The transitional PSBB was extended for 2 weeks, starting from 14 to 27 August 2020.

"Taking all conditions into account, after we consulted the epidemiologist and coordinated with Forkopimda ranks, we decided to extend the PSBB transition period in the first phase for the fourth time until 27 August 2020," said Anies in a written statement, Thursday, August 13.

In this transitional PSBB extension, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government together with the police and the TNI will focus on enforcing the rules, especially the use of masks for the public when leaving the house.

There are a number of reasons why Anies extended the transitional PSBB. First, the percentage of positive cases from swab examinations or the positivity rate in DKI has increased over the past week, reaching 8.7 percent.

"If accumulated from the start, the positivity rate for DKI Jakarta is at 5.7 percent. The standard positivity rate from WHO to be declared safe and controlled is 5 percent," he said.

Anies confirmed that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will try to reduce the positivity rate by increasing the capacity of the inspection (testing) to break the chain of transmission.

That way, more and more people will be detected who have the corona virus but without symptoms or mild symptoms and then they carry out independent isolation at home to break the chain of transmission.

Another factor that led to the extension of the transitional PSBB was the increase in filling of beds for COVID-19 and ICU care in Jakarta over the past 2 weeks.

Of the 4,456 isolation beds available, currently 65 percent of the capacity is filled. Likewise with the ICU room, out of which 483 beds are prepared, now 67 percent are filled with confirmed COVID-19 patients.

"The figures all moved in one month from the range of 40-50 percent in July. This increasing trend needs to be handled together, not only by the government," explained Anies.

"Let us alleviate the burden on all of them by jointly implementing health protocols and reminding each other to wear masks, wash hands regularly, and keep their distance. Don't hesitate and be afraid to remind each other," he said.