Jakarta partly reopens after two-month lockdown

Indonesia has eased restrictions in its capital Jakarta after two months of lockdown as it gradually reopens its economy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world’s fourth most populous country to a standstill, having been under lockdown since April 10 to curb the outbreak.

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Workplaces, places of worship, grocery stores, restaurants and standalone retail shops are allowed to open with strict health guidelines such as having to operate at 50% capacity and ensuring people maintain a safe distance from one another. Public transportation has also resumed.

Markets and shopping malls will be able to open on June 15, and recreational venues on June 2, while schools will remain closed during this month’s transition to a “new normal.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said in a press conference that the decision to ease restrictions comes after COVID-19 cases and deaths in the capital have been decreasing.

“We have imposed social restrictions, which required strength, discipline and patience. It’s not an easy thing to do, but we managed to achieve it together. Our collective effort has helped to ease the infection rate,” he said.

But Baswedan added that the restrictions can be reinstated should there be a spike in cases and fresh outbreaks.