Health Minister approves large-scale social distancing for Banjarmasin and Tarakan

A number of vehicles crossing the flyover on the Jalan Ahmad Yani, Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Monday (April 20, 2020). Banjarmasin City Government is preparing to implement the Large-Scale Social Distancing (PSBB) after being approved by the Ministry of Health as an effort to accelerate the handling of COVID-19. (ANTARA PHOTO/BAYU PRATAMA S)

PSBB in Banjarmasin needs to be implemented considering the rising of cases and the spread of viruses has increased significantly,

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto has given his approval for the policy to enforce large-scale social distancing (PSBB) for Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan and Tarakan in North Kalimantan.

“PSBB in Banjarmasin needs to be implemented considering the rising of cases and the spread of viruses has increased significantly,” Minister Terawan noted in his statement in Jakarta, Sunday.

While in Tarakan the PSBB to be enforced in response to the COVID-19 outbreak after an epidemiological study and consideration of the region's readiness in social, economic, and other aspects by a technical team.

The PSBB stipulation for Banjarmasin was stated on Sunday (April 19, 2020) in the Health Minister Decree Number HK.01.07/Menkes/262/2020. While for Tarakan in the Minister Decree Number HK.01.07/Menkes/261/2020 on the same day.

PSBBs in the two areas are carried out for the most of the incubation period of 14 days, and could be extended in case of evidences of COVID-19 spread.

The government of these two areas are obliged to implement the large scale social distancing measure and consistently encourage and promote a clean and healthy lifestyle to the community.

Minister Terawan previously approved the enforcement of PSBB for some areas, namely the Province of DKI Jakarta; District and City of Bekasi, Depok city, District and City of Bogor in West ava Province; District and City of Tangerang, and Tangerang Selatan City in the Province of Banten; Pekanbaru City in Riau Province, Makassar City in South Sulawesi Provincce, and the Province of West Sumatra.

But the minister has rejected PSBB request for a number of areas considered not to meet the criteria, such as Bolaang Mongondow District in North Sulawesi, Fakfak District in Papua Barat, Sorong City Papua Barat, Palangka Raya City in Central Kalimantan, and Rote Ndao District in East Nusa Tenggara.

The number of patients recovered from COVID-19 in Indonesia has increased by 55 to became 686 people on Sunday (April 19). But the positive case has added by 327 to a total of 6.575 people, while the death toll has reached 582 after an additon of 47 people.
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