Jokowi Prepares Gradual Opening Of Emergency PPKM On July 26, Checks A Series Of Rules

President Jokowi (Instagram/@jokowi)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced the extension of the Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) until Sunday, July 25. However, he promised an easing of restrictions would be carried out if Monday, July 26 the number of COVID-19 cases had decreased.

"If the trend of cases continues to decline, on July 26, 2021, the government will open it in stages," Jokowi said in a video description posted on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, Tuesday, July 20.

Some of the easing that the government will do if COVID-19 cases decline is to allow traditional markets that sell basic necessities to be open until 20:00 with a capacity of 50 percent of visitors.

Next, other shops selling basic daily needs will be allowed to open until 15:00 with a maximum capacity of 50 percent and must implement health protocols according to local government policies.

Not only that, the government will also invite street vendors, grocery stores to other businesses such as barbershops, laundry, and small businesses to open until 21.00.

"It is allowed to open with strict health protocols until 21.00, the technical arrangements are regulated by the regional government," said Jokowi.

This policy to be open until 21.00 also applies to food stalls, street vendors, hawker stalls, and the like that have their place of business in an open space. This business still has to comply with health protocols and the maximum meal time for visitors is only 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, other activities in essential and critical sectors in the government and private sector and related to travel protocols, will be explained separately.

"I ask that we all work together and work hand in hand to implement this PPKM, with the hope that cases will soon drop and the pressure on hospitals will also decrease," he concluded.