No Lockdown, Govt Considering Economic Concerns

Last updated on May 11th, 2021 at 09:16 am

The Indonesian government as of now is reluctant to implement a total lockdown policy. The reason of the government has not done this, according to member of the COVID-19 Task Force, Wiku Adisasmito, is because of the potentially crippling economic impacts that may arise from it.

This was stated by him at a press conference at the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Office, East Jakarta, on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

“(Lockdown) has economic, social and security implications. Therefore, this policy cannot be taken at this time,” Wiku said.

There are field workers in Indonesia with high number. Wiku said that the Indonesian people should have been aware of this kind of workers who live on daily wages. Therefore, the lockdown system, if implemented, will greatly affect them.

Social distancing campaign, according to him, is currently the most effective step of prevention. Local residents maintaining distance and personal hygiene can effectively inhibit the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, lockdown efforts have been made by a number of countries worldwide. Italy and Denmark have carried out total lockdowns to their country following the COVID-19 outbreak there.

On the other hand, several other countries, such as South Korea and Iran, have opted to conduct limited lockdowns in several cities that were the centres of the spread of the coronavirus.