Bandung, W Java (ANTARA) - The provincial government of West Java has decided to lift PSBB (large-scale social distancing) measures — enacted to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak — by Friday, and has turned its focus to broader rapid testing.
Testing is being carried out on the spot as well as in several at-risk areas.
"As of today, the provincial measure of PSBB has been lifted. We have decided that 100 percent of areas in West Java move into AKB — new normal conditioning," Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil, said after reviewing a mass test at Gedung Sate, Bandung.
He said the decision has come as the COVID-19 reproduction number (R0) across the region has remained below one for the last six weeks, implying the outbreak is under control, as per WHO standards. Meanwhile, the occupancy at COVID-19 hospitals is at 27 percent.
Related news: President monitors regional readiness in transitioning to new normal
However, the provincial government has allowed local authorities to take any strategic measures, if found necessary, including enacting local PSBB within their city or district. In other words, "the observation is now localized, some restrictions are still in place on a micro scale”, the governor said.
The PSBB enactment will be in accordance with the rules set by the Jakarta provincial government in cities, and Bogor, Depok, and Bekasi in particular due to their proximity to the capital. The PSSB in Jakarta will end on July 2, 2020.
Related news: New normal implementation stage-wise and on priority scale: Jokowi
Related news: Routinely evaluate implementation of new normal protocols: Jokowi
Reporter: Ajat Sudrajat, Suwanti
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
