Police tighten checkpoints in the PPKM level 4 areas of South Kalimantan

Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - South Kalimantan Provincial Police have tightened checkpoints in the areas of level 4 public activity restriction (PPKM), especially at the border, to reduce people's mobility, which could trigger the COVID-19 transmission.

"The result of Task Force and the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (forkopimda) evaluation on the final week of restriction was to seal a number of points and the police deployed personnel to strengthen the enforcement of the rule," said Head of Public Relation of South Kalimantan Provincial Police Sr Comr Mochamad Rifa'i in Banjarmasin, Wednesday.

Six regions in South Kalimantan implemented level 4 PPKM from August 10 to 23 were Banjarmasin City, Banjarbaru City, Barito Kuala District, Tanah Laut District, Tanah Bumbu District, and Kotabaru District.

Rifa'i said that the tightening is focusing on the provincial border. Then Banjarmasin City as the provincial capital with the highest COVID-19 cases.

Other regions to adjust based on the situation needed to suppress people's mobility.

He acknowledged the spike of COVID-19 cases, including the death rate, in South Kalimantan, was very significant. Forkopimda who were also the task force members then took a more decisive policy.

"South Kalimantan was ranked eighth nationally for the number of COVID-19 cases. This is a common concern that the more decisive steps are needed," he pointed out.

Rifa'i stated that the health protocols campaign was increased after the public was considered to slow down in discipline, such as wearing masks.

"We see in markets and other crowded places there are no more hand washing facilities. Whereas this is very important as education to the public," he said. 

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Read also: Tanah Bumbu applies level 4 PPKM.