Jokowi Calls for a Collective Effort to Achieve Micro-Scale Approach Over the Nation

President Joko Widodo urged regional governments to introduce collective activity restrictions by implementing a micro-based approach to sub-districts, towns, community units and neighborhood units.

To this end, the Head of State pointed out that the government had worked in greater depth by enforcing a micro-scale lockdown. In view of this, Jokowi was of the opinion that such a measure did not, in general, appear to affect economic development or impede the community’s economic activities.

Jokowi urged both sides to exercise caution to this end where there should be a significant attention that must be given to care and isolation, both in terms of the availability of medication and hospital beds. Another thing, It is important to verify and monitor the preparedness of medical staff. Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, clarified the reach of PPKM using a micro-based or local-level approach.

The constraints will remain in effect until 22 February 2021. The imposition of restrictions on community activities will include restrictions on offices or workplaces, with strict enforcement of health protocols. Along with this, Minister Hartarto clarified that the number of employees permitted in offices or workplaces would be reduced to 50 percent of the total capacity and the remaining 50 percent of the workers will be forced to work from home.

Teaching and learning activities will remain online, while core sectors aligned with community needs will be enabled to function at 100% capacity, with capacity and operationalization arrangements in line with health protocols, he noted. The ability of restaurants providing dine-in services would have to be limited to 50 percent, while mall and shopping center operating hours will be shortened to 9 p.m. to ensure the safety.

Previously, Jokowi emphasized at the micro or local level, the enactment of public activity restrictions. The goal of the micro approach is to implement PPKM, beginning at the village and neighborhood levels (RT and RW) and involving the central task force until the smallest units of the COVID-19 task force are included.

In addition, the Minister stated that the participation in the operations of civil law enforcers such as Babinsa, Babinkamtibmas, and Satpol PP, supported by military and police officers in enforcing the PPKM which is not for law enforcement purposes but also for tracing.