Budiarti Utami Putri, Dio Suhenda (Intern Translator), Jakarta – The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Chief Secretary, Harmensyah, has called for all regions across Java to apply for the Large Scale Social Restriction (PSBB) policy.

"As it seems, it is necessary to implement PSBB across Java," Harmensyah said in a virtual hearing with Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR), on Tuesday, May 12, 2020.

According to Harmensyah, Java has contributed 70 percent to the national total of positive COVID-19 cases, 80 percent to the national death toll, and 56 percent to the national recovery.

In spite of this, not all regions in Java have applied for the PSBB policy, as only 18 regencies/cities in four provinces across Indonesia's most populated island have enacted the PSBB policy.

"We recommend regions with high numbers of confirmed (COVID-19) positive cases to carry out PSBB based on the region's initiative, of course, with support from the National Military (TNI) or the Police Force (Polri), and from all stakeholders, both central and regional."

Previously, in a limited meeting evaluating the enactment of the PSBB policy, President Joko Widodo had instructed the Task Force to remain vigilant and closely monitor efforts to curb the outbreak, including enactment of the PSBB policy across the island.

"I ask the Task Force to ensure that (efforts to) control COVID-19 in five provinces across Java are truly carried out effectively, especially within the next two weeks," Jokowi said, today, May 12, 2020.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1341384/bnpb-calls-for-all-regions-in-java-to-apply-for-psbb