COVID-19: Partial Lockdown Clears Jakarta’s Streets
2020.05.04
Jakarta
Once described by Time Magazine as “the worst city in the world for traffic jams,” Jakarta’s streets appear deserted at night as a result of a government-imposed partial lockdown to suppress the coronavirus pandemic.
Authorities restricted movement in the capital starting April 10 and later extended the curbs to May 22, ordering residents in the city of about 10 million people to stay at home as COVID-19 infections surged.
As of May 4, health authorities said, 11,587 cases and 864 deaths – the most in Southeast Asia – had been recorded nationwide. Jakarta reported almost half of those numbers: 5,539 infections and 408 fatalities.
Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan ordered schools, places of worship and businesses to remain closed, but allowed establishments providing essential goods and services, such as grocery stores, pharmacies and telecommunications, to continue operations.
Restrictions in the capital include a ban on motorcycle taxis carrying passengers and people dining in restaurants. Violators could face fines of up to 100 million rupiah (U.S. $6,325).
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