Taufiq Siddiq, Jakarta – Jakarta Manpower, Transmigration, and Energy Agency discovered that many companies were still operating during the period of the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in the capital because they earn permission from the Industry Ministry.

"I inspect companies that are not exempted [from the PSBB order] but having a permit from the Industry Ministry to carry out their normal activities during the enforcement of PSBB," said the city's Manpower, Transmigration, and Energy Agency Head Andri Yansyah to Tempo on Tuesday, April 14.

Andri mentioned that over 200 companies excluded from the list of sectors that are allowed to operate during the city's strict physical distancing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic obtained an operational permit from the central government. Averagely, he added, they are big firms with thousands of workers.

"The active companies are large ones. This contributes to the population mobility because they remain operating," Andri said.

According to him, since the companies had been granted a permit to operate, they will be treated the same as those exempted sectors in the PSBB Jakarta order, and they must oblige to the designated health protocols.

However, Andri said his side will coordinate with the Industry Ministry to evaluate the operating permit.

Andri further asked all companies to comply with the city's rules on large-scale social restrictions. "I ask all to follow the PSBB order together. So as I said before, don't let your temporary interest counter the eternal interests," he concluded.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1331638/jakarta-finds-200-firms-remain-operating-violate-psbb-order