Prepare Draft Government Regulations Related To Regional Quarantine

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said the government is preparing a draft Government Regulation (PP) to implement Regional Quarantine. PP for Regional Quarantine is being discussed because there are several areas that want regional quarantine to prevent the spread of the corona virus or COVID-19 in their areas.

"Now the government is preparing a draft Government Regulation to implement what is called a territorial quarantine," Mahfud said in a video conference with journalists, Friday, March 27.

The term regional quarantine, not lockdown, is contained in Law Number 6 of 2018 concerning Health Quarantine. In this law, it is stated that the purpose of territorial quarantine is: limitation of the population in an area including the entrance and its contents suspected of being infected with a disease and / or contamination in such a way as to prevent the possibility of spreading disease or contamination.

With the PP currently being drafted, Mahfud said, the regulation would regulate when a region could carry out an area quarantine, including what conditions had to be met.

"What are the conditions, then what is prohibited to do and how the procedures are being prepared. God willing, the regulation will be issued in the near future, so that there will be a uniform policy regarding that matter," said Mahfud, adding.

The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court (MK) said that the Head of the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 in the province would propose to the Head of the National COVID-19 Handling Task Force, which is now held by BNPB Chair Doni Monardo, regarding the quarantine of this area.

Furthermore, the Head of the National COVID-19 Handling Task Force will coordinate with relevant ministers, such as the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of Trade and others.

When the regional quarantine is enforced, only vehicles carrying basic goods and basic necessities can enter the area. Then, shops in the area, ensure that they remain open even with the supervision of the government or security authorities

Mahfud promised that this Government Regulation could be implemented next week. This PP is at the same time to provide legal certainty in the application of Law Number 6 of 2018 concerning Health Quarantine.

"There must be a PP. Therefore we will arrange it with the PP. Of course we will be in an emergency situation as soon as possible so it will be issued in the near future. The time is when, maybe next week," he said.