Jokowi: There Is No Better Place Than At Home, Stay Away From Crowds

President Joko Widodo (Setkab DOK)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has urged people to stay at home and stay away from crowds. This appeal was delivered on the third day of the implementation of the Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) on the island of Java-Bali.

"There is no better place right now than at home and away from the crowd," he said as quoted from the Instagram account @jokowi on Monday, July 5.

By doing activities such as studying or working, people have protected themselves and their immediate environment.

Furthermore, by uploading a picture of women washing their hands and wearing masks, Jokowi said that the community helped health workers by not traveling.

"By studying and working at home, you have protected yourself, your family, and the environment as well as helping health workers who are struggling in hospital treatment rooms dealing with COVID-19 patients," said the former governor of DKI Jakarta.

Jokowi hopes that all parties without exception can unite against the COVID-19 pandemic. So, the difficult times due to this virus can be overcome immediately.

"With unity and mutual cooperation we will get through these difficult times together," he said.

As previously reported, the government has implemented Emergency PPKM in Java-Bali since last Saturday, July 3. This application is carried out for two weeks until 20 July.

A number of restrictions were implemented during this period, including working 100 percent at home for the non-essential sector, closing shopping centers, and eliminating social activities that could potentially cause crowds.

Even so, the mobility of residents in DKI Jakarta remains high due to congestion and this has become the focus of Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

"I still see the streets in Jakarta, the emergency PPKM has been implemented, and there are still traffic jams," said Minister of Health Budi in a meeting with Commission IX of the DPR which was broadcast virtually, Monday, July 5.

Budi then reminded that the recent surge in COVID-19 cases was the result of uncontrolled mobility and people's behavior that was difficult to discipline.

"All of this happened because mobility was not controlled. So this increase occurred because people's movements were difficult to ask for discipline," he said.