WhatsApp Logo Subscribe
For News Alert

News

Jakarta to reimpose partial lockdown as virus cases surge

September 10, 2020 07:31 PM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

Indonesia's capital Jakarta plans to re-impose a partial lockdown as early as Monday over fears that surging coronavirus cases could "collapse" its under-pressure hospitals, the sprawling city's governor said.

The megacity of some 30 million will see many office buildings and large mosques closed along with restaurants and other entertainment venues, while public transport hours will also be restricted.

The announcement comes three months after an earlier lockdown was lifted, sending infection rates soaring.

"The Jakarta administration has decided to pull the emergency brake and go back to large-scale restrictions," governor Anies Baswedan said late Wednesday.

Without fresh moves to contain virus cases, the capital's hospitals could be overrun as early as next week, he said. "After that, Jakarta's health facilities would collapse," he added.

More than 100 frontline doctors in Indonesia have died of Covid-19, including 15 in Jakarta. "That adds to concerns that our health system will collapse if there are no serious measures to control the pandemic," said Halik Malik, spokesman for the Indonesian Doctors Association.

"We can't ignore or abandon patients just because health facilities and their employees can no longer accommodate them," he added.

Indonesia's main stock index tumbled five percent after the announcement on concerns about Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

Jakarta had by Thursday recorded more than 50,000 confirmed cases -- around a quarter of the national total -- as well as more than 1,350 deaths.

But with some of the world's lowest testing rates, the spread of the disease is widely believed to be much greater than official figures suggest.

 



Most Read

  1. Diljit Dosanjh invites Hania Aamir on stage during London concert, sings 'Lover' for her Diljit Dosanjh invites Hania Aamir on stage during London concert, sings 'Lover' for her
  2. Army soldiers guard Islamabad, Lahore sealed ahead of PTI protest Army soldiers guard Islamabad, Lahore sealed ahead of PTI protest
  3. Two Chinese nationals among three killed in Karachi 'suicide bombing' Two Chinese nationals among three killed in Karachi 'suicide bombing'
  4. Strong winds, rain lash most parts of Punjab, KP Strong winds, rain lash most parts of Punjab, KP
  5. Routine traffic on Lahore, Rawalpindi roads as almost all blocked routes reopened Routine traffic on Lahore, Rawalpindi roads as almost all blocked routes reopened
  6. Army colonel among 6 soldiers martyred, 6 terrorists killed in Waziristan clash Army colonel among 6 soldiers martyred, 6 terrorists killed in Waziristan clash