Indonesian capital tightens restrictions to curb coronavirus spread

The Indonesian capital on Friday imposed tougher restrictions on travel and work in an attempt to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. 

The measure, which will be in force for two weeks, means non-essential businesses will be closed and residents will be banned from venturing outside except to buy groceries and other essentials, Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan said. 

“For the next two weeks, all Jakarta residents are expected to stay home, reduce or even eliminate outside activities,” Basewedan said, announcing the measure late Thursday. 

“This measure is intended to keep all of us, our families, our neighbours and our colleagues safe,” he added. 

Violaters face a fine of up to 100 million rupiah (6,370 dollars). 

Authorities in Jakarta last month declared a state of emergency after Covid-19 cases spiked in the city of 10 million people, closing public parks and entertainment centres and imposing social distancing measures.   

On Thursday, Indonesia reported 40 deaths from Covid-19, its highest number of fatalities in a single day since the country’s first cases were announced early last month. 

The new fatalities brought the overall death toll to 280. More than half of the deaths and the country’s 3,293 confirmed cases are from Jakarta. 

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President Joko Widodo on Thursday said that civil servants, employees of state-owned companies and members of the military and police would be banned from travelling to their hometowns to celebrate Eid al-Fitr next month. The ban affects around 7 million people.

Joko last week decided to allow millions of Muslims to travel to celebrate Eid in their hometowns despite fears of spreading the coronavirus.