Tri Indah Oktavianti, Jakarta – The National Police have launched an operation in Jakarta to monitor and discipline the public on strict health protocols as the capital reimposed large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) on Monday.
Dubbed Operasi Yustisi, the operation will be carried out in areas at high risk of becoming new COVID-19 clusters, said National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Awi Setiyono.
"We will prioritize the sympathetic and persuasive approach. If we find anyone without a face mask in a public place, we will give them one," Awi said on Monday
He added that violators could also be sanctioned as mandated by Presidential Instruction No. 6/2020 on the implementation of COVID-19 health protocols and regional regulations.
The raids in Jakarta will involve personnel from the National Police, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) during the new, two-week PSBB period, which runs from Monday to Sept. 27.
Jakarta Police traffic director Sr. Comr. Sambodo Purnomo Yogo said security personnel would focus on eight locations across the capital during the operation, including Tugu Tani and the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta, as well as Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta.
"We will directly sanction [violators]," Sambodo said as quoted by kompas.com.
He added that anyone found violating PSBB rules, such as not wearing a mask in public places, would be given a Rp 250,000 (US$16.83) fine or an hour community service. The sanction, however, could be multiplied if the individuals had prior a record of violating PSBB measures.