Heru Andriyanto, Jakarta – Governor Anies Baswedan announced on Wednesday the so-called transition period that followed social restriction measures amid the Covid-19 outbreak will be extended to another two weeks as daily infection cases have mostly returned to three-digit figure throughout June.

"The transition from the large-scale social restrictions will be extended for the next 14 days, during which every development will be evaluated," Anies said in a video conference streamed live on the city's YouTube account.

He said schools will remain close until further notice, although the new academic year will start on July 13.

"There is no plan to reopen schools yet. Children are particularly vulnerable from Covid-19 exposure," Anies said. "The academic year will start on July 13 by distance learning," he added.

During the transition, public transportation, traditional markets and non-essential business premises should operate at 50 percent of their capacity, Anies said.

Under control

The governor claimed that the outbreak has been largely under control and that the city's Covid-19 testing capacity has met World Health Organization requirement.

"The testing has covered 14,255 people per 1 million of the Jakarta population, while the WHO requires 1,000 tests per 1 million," Anies said.

"In general, the situation is relatively under control although there is still a sub-district where the transmission rate remains high," he said without specifying.

The national capital was the epicenter of the Indonesian outbreak until East Java emerged with the most cases last week.

As of Wednesday, Jakarta has 11,637 cases, including 632 deaths and 6,680 recoveries. East Java topped the list with 12,321 cases, 926 deaths and 4,199 recoveries.

Jakarta accumulated nearly 4,000 cases throughout June while East Java registered more than 7,200 cases.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/jakarta-extends-transition-period-to-july-16-before-full-reopening