Emergency Brake Policy, Jakarta Government Reimposes Large-Scale Social Restrictions

The Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan reimposed the Large-scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) in Jakarta as an emergency brake measure. This decision is taken to reduce the increasing number of COVID-19 cases during the Transitional PSBB Phase 1 period. According to him, the main indicator of taking this policy is due to the Case Fatality Rate and Bed Occupancy Ratio, both for isolation and ICU, are getting higher which indicating that Jakarta is in an emergency situation.

Looking at this situation, there is no other choice for Jakarta except to pull emergency brake immediately

"Looking at this situation, there is no other ch oice for Jakarta except to pull emergency brake immediately. During the meeting with Task Force for Acceleration in Handling COVID-19 in Jakarta, it was concluded that we need to pull the emergency brake, it means we are forced to reimpose Large-scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) like in the past, no longer transitional PSBB. This is the emergency brake that we need to pull this time. The COVID-19 Task Force in Jakarta, in this case Jakarta Forkopimda, agreed to reimpose PSBB. We pull the emergency brake and return to implement President's instruction at the beginning of the outbreak, namely work from home, study from home, and pray from home," he said as quoted from Jakarta PPID press release, Wednesday (9/9).

He previously mentioned that as many as 1,347 people died due to COVID-19 in Jakarta. Although the death rate in Jakarta is 2.7% which lower than national mortality rate of 4.1%, and even lower than global mortality rate of 3.3%, he conveyed that the mortality rate continues to increase and is accompanied by an increase in number of funerals carried out under COVID-19 protocol. It means there are more cases where the body should be buried under COVID-19 protocols before showing positive result for COVID-19

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He also explained that 77% of 4,053 isolation beds for patients with moderate symptoms had been used. For information, 4,053 beds is an actual number. In previous data, there were 4,456 isolation beds for COVID-19 patients, because several hospitals couldn't reach their maximum capacity due to number of health workers who infected with COVID-19. Several hospitals also used some of the beds for non-COVID-19 patients. Several hospitals also turned the isolation room into ICU because many patients needed ICU. Due to increase in ICU rooms, the number of bed needed is decreasing because distance between beds at ICU room is wider.

Based on scientific calculation project, the isolation room will no longer be able to accommodate COVID-19 patients as of September 17. Even though the COVID-19 patient isolation room capacity is improved by 20% into 4,807 beds, but it is estimated no beds available around October 6, 2020.

According to him, the maximum capacity of ICU room used for COVID-19 patients is currently 528 beds and 83% of it has been used. Its capacity is predicted to be full on September 15 with the current outbreak rate. Jakarta Government is currently increasing ICU capacity up to 636 beds. But, without any attempt for tighter restrictions, even though ICU capacity has been increased, it could be full on September 25.

"Raising the capacity is not only adding beds, but also doctors and nurses, safety devices, equipment, and medicines. By adding capacity for a short-term, but without giving strict restrictions, it is only stalling for less than a month before the hospital is full again," he asserted.

By imposing emergency brake policy and setting PSBB status in Jakarta, the non-essential office activities in Jakarta don't have other choice but to close the office and implement work from home mechanism. It means, there are only 11 essential business sectors which allowed to run with minimal operation (unable to fully operate as usual) with restrictions on the number of employees at the office. All additional business permit for non-essential business sectors which obtained during the early PSBB period, both issued by Jakarta Government and Industry Ministry, are no longer valid and must be re-evaluated.

"Apart from that, all entertainment venues must be closed. Entertainment venues under Jakarta Government's management such as Ancol, Ragunan, Monas, and city parks will be closed as well. Distance learning activities will continue from home as they have been doing so far. All food businesses such as restaurants can continue to operate but not allowed for dine-in. It is only allowed for take away and delivery orders," he added.

In this PSBB period, worship places can make adjustment whether to open limited space for local residents with a very strict protocols or not. But for huge worship places, such as Grand Mosque whose prayers are from various regions, are not allowed to open yet. On the other hand, worship places in the villages, as long as it is for the local residents, are still allowed to be open. He emphasized that in areas with high number of COVID-19 cases, people should carry out prayer from home. However, he suggested residents that it is better to do prayer at home.

"Public transportation will be also limited strictly, starting from the number of the fleets operated and its operating hours. Temporarily, we don't apply odd-even traffic policy. But it doesn't mean people are free to travel with private vehicles. It is obvious that we are in the urgent situation right now, even worse than the beginning of the outbreak. So, don't leave house if you don't have to. Just stay at home, don't leave Jakarta. What about people who enter and exit Jakarta? Ideally, we can limit people movement to a minimum, but in reality, it will be difficult if it is only done by Jakarta. It needs coordination and cooperation with central government, especially Transportation Ministry, and Bodetabek (greater Jakarta) governments. Soon, we will communicate and coordinate it because all of us experience the pandemic, so we must resolve it together as well," he said.

He also emphasized that all activities that cause crowds in public places will be prohibited. All community activities such as arisan, reunion, family gathering, or recitation should be postponed. He considered the potential for being exposed to COVID-19 is higher if people do the activities together with those who are close to them.

"There are the remaining 4 days for office managers to prepare themselves in facing PSBB within 2 weeks starting next Monday. Please prepare it well. We have all experienced strict PSBB a few months ago,  so we know better what we need to prepare ourselves based on the needs. We will continue to provide information and guidance gradually in the days ahead. Transparency remains our commitment," he asserted.

His conveyed that his side would continue to increase the capacity and carry out more massive testing activities, along with increasing tracing and treatment. He mentioned that 716,776 people had been tested for PCR in Jakarta. It means 49% of national test has been carried out in Jakarta.

Test rate in Jakarta is 67,335 people tested per one million population. This figure is higher thatn national average of 5,348 people tested per one million population. As many as 49,837 cases were found. It means the positivity rate in Jakarta reaches 7.0% which is lower than national positivity rate of 14.0%. Since transitional PSBB period enacted in June, Jakarta consistently exceeded WHO standards in testing by more than 5 times.

"Puskesmas also carry out active case finding routinely and increase the tracing. Currently, tracing rate in Jakarta is 6, meaning that every 1 positive case, there are 6 close contact that are traced. It has just entered moderate level and Jakarta will continue increasing its tracing capacity. For treatment capacity, as we explained earlier, we  will increase the capacity of health facilities for COVID-19 patients. Apart from increasing number of beds for isolation and ICU, Jakarta Government is currently converting several hospitals into special hospitals for COVID-19. For the initial stage, RSUD Pasar Minggu and RSUD Cengkareng will be converted into COVID-19 hospitals," he explained.

Jakarta Government has also added 1,174 medical and health professionals who will serve throughout Jakarta. Previously, he underlined that city will not only increase capacity of health facilities but also health workers and their protection. Currently, city has provided lodging for health workers who handle COVID-19 and vehicles for their mobility to the hospitals.

"By reimposing PSBB, government is obliged to provide social assistance to support the most vulnerable community. Thus Jakarta Government and Social Ministry will continue to provide assistance to the vulnerable communities in Jakarta who have been the recipients of Bansos. The details will be announced soon," he told.

He said that the pandemic would end with realistic expectation through discovery of a safe and effective vaccine and it will be distributed evenly to the residents. However, the vaccine will be not available in the next 2-3 months. He explained realistically that new vaccine will be available next year while an emergency condition has occurred in Jakarta.

"Until the vaccine arrives, we must prepare ourselves to fight the outbreak by implementing strict social restrictions with high discipline. All apparatuses of Jakarta Government have committed to work hard and stay alert during the PSBB period to ease people's burden. We will defeat this outbreak together. This challenge is indeed hard, maybe it is the hardest challenge in our life, but we can solve it gradually if we can support each other," he said.

"It is the time for us to unite, work together to fight the virus. We pray to God to lift this pandemic as soon as possible. But if God predestines us to fight against this virus longer, we should pray to him for giving us strength and lighten our burden in facing this invisible enemy. Only with His permission, we can go through this great ordeal together. May God bless Jakarta, bless our nation, and protect us all," he closed.