Jakarta capital of Indonesia has begun easing large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) over two weeks since 12 October, following a slowdown in the growth of new COVID-19 infections after a partial lockdown was re-imposed in the city on 14 September.

Local authorities announced that offices in essential business sectors are permitted to operate with a capacity “that is in line with their needs”, and those in non-essential ones are allowed to operate at 50-percent capacity.

Restaurants and cafes may serve dine-in guests but can only operate at 50-percent capacity while recreational parks and tourist destinations can open at a quarter of their capacity. Gyms are also limited to 25-percent capacity, and other indoor and outdoor sports facilities can operate at half of their capacity.

Indoor activities such as seminars, cinemas and marriage ceremonies can be held at a quarter of capacity.

Jakarta re-imposed PSBB after new positive cases increased by 37.09 percent between 29 August and 11 September compared to the previous two-week period.

The growth in the number of new cases slowed down to 22.39 percent between 25 September and 9 October.

As of 12 October, Jakarta, with a population of about 11 million, had recorded 87,006 cases of COVID-19, including 1,901 deaths. The respective figures across Indonesia were 336,716 and 11,935.

Source: VNA