Jakarta (VNA) –The Indonesian government has no plans to ease theenactment of the Large Scale Social Restriction (PSBB) policy in the immediatefuture, as the government is still focusing on the national mudik (homecoming) ban for the next two weeks to curb the spread of COVID-19, said PresidentJoko Widodo.
Speaking at an online cabinet meeting on May 18, Widodo stressed that there is no relaxation of the PSBB policy, the public should not bemistaken that the government has begun to relax PSBB.
He asked the Chief of the Indonesian Police Force, General Idham Azis, as well asthe Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto,to ensure the effective enforcement of the mudik ban.
The President has also reminded that the mudik ban is only applicable to limitthe mobility of people, not goods.
According to Widodo,the government is preparing PSBB easing scenarios and continues to monitordisease developments before making a decision on the time for applying.
Previously, on May15, President Joko Widodo called on Indonesians "to live" with theCOVID-19 pandemic as part of the new normal.
As of May 18, Indonesia confirmed 18,010 COVID-19 patients. The disease killed1,191 persons in the country, while 4,324 cases were cured./.