Claims To Be Able To Control COVID-19, The Surabaya City Government Has Not Yet Thought About PSBB Options

ILLUSTRATION / Swab test Team in Surabaya (Surabaya City Government)

SURABAYA - Surabaya City Government (Pemkot) is "thinking" about implementing Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB). Apart from not receiving a copy letter from the central government, the Surabaya City Government argued that it was still able to control the COVID-19 cases in its area.

"So until now the Surabaya City Government is still trying not to implement the PSBB, because from the trend it is still under control, even though it was at the end of the year because of the saturation of residents so that it relaxed health protocols," said Head of Public Relations of the Surabaya City Government, Febriadhitya Prajatara, confirmed on Wednesday January 6th.

Febri admitted that the Surabaya City Government has yet to receive an official letter from the Central Government (Mendagri) regarding the announcement of the implementation of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) throughout Java and Bali.

"The Surabaya municipal government has not received a copy from the center. However, we will discuss it with the Task Force (Covid-19) team and also stakeholders," he said.

Febri said, after the implementation of PSBB volume III some time ago, the control of COVID-19 in Surabaya had been carried out by implementing almost the same health protocols and regulations. Starting from tightening health protocols in various places, monitoring health protocols by deploying swab hunter teams, as well as socializing with New Man, implementing work from home and others.

"However, we do not give up, we are not discouraged. So that we issue a new Perwali with a fine now, there are administrative sanctions and fines that go to the Kasda (regional treasury)," said Febri.

The central government has re-implemented the PSBB to suppress the transmission of covid-19 in all provinces in Java and Bali, and is valid from 11 January to 25 January 2021. This decision is in accordance with Government Regulation (PP) Number 21 of 2020 concerning Large-Scale Social Restrictions in the Framework of Accelerating Handling of COVID-19.