Jakarta's 494th Birthday in Pandemic and Several "Gifts" Received

The capital city of Jakarta celebrates its 494th birthday on June 22, 2021. As one of the old world's largest cities, Jakarta has many stories which is impossible to tell. On its birthday in midst of current pandemic, DKI Jakarta celebrated it simply by taking theme "Jakarta Rise" (Jakarta Bangkit).

We try to convey some of the things that are happening in Jakarta today as a "gift" that received and hopefully useful for your latest updates, lovely travellers. 😊

Covid-19 Spike!

Jakarta at the time of writing experiencing very significant increase in positive cases of Covid-19. The daily average Covid-19 positive case in Jakarta in past week could reach 2,000 to 3,000 cases. Even at last daily position on June 20, 2021, Ministry of Health and DKI Jakarta Health Service noted that Jakarta contributed 5,582 cases of positive numbers infected with Covid-19 out of the total national figure which had reached 2 million cases. That addition of daily cases in Jakarta is highest during pandemic. However, the recovery rate also continues to increase over time (data sources: Covid-19.go.id and corona.jakarta.go.id).

Quoting from megapolitan.kompas.com, DKI Jakarta Health Service predicts the highest spike will occur in August 2021. Their predicts that the daily active cases of Covid-19 in August 2021 could reach 218,000. Prediction is done with a moderate approach to the maximum detected case conditions.

The trigger for that spike suspected to have come from the mobility of people who traveled back and forth during and after Eid al-Fitr holiday in May 2021. In addition, the behaviour of people who are less disciplined towards Covid-19 health protocol and the emergence of new virus variants such as Alpha (English variant), Beta (South African variant) and Delta (Indian variant) are spreading very quickly was include.

Various ways to anticipate and prevent the spread of Covid-19 are currently being carried out by the government. Such as doubling the testing and tracing process, increasing the availability of health facility capacity to speeding up the vaccination process for the entire community. Residents are also continuously encouraged to always be disciplined in implementing 5M health protocol (wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing, staying away from crowds and reducing mobility).
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Covid-19 Hospital Room Isolation is Full!

The occupancy rate of isolation rooms for Covid-19 patient referral hospitals in Jakarta is on average full. BOR (Bed Occupancy Rate) of Wisma Atlit Covid-19 Emergency Hospital has reached 90% at the time of writing (data: MetroTV).

That significant spike in positive cases of Covid-19 has caused emergency room and inpatient isolation at several hospitals in Jakarta to be fully filled. It makes local governments try to find out other alternatives for patient isolation rooms.
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PPKM & Activity Restrictions in 11 Sectors

The policy of limiting activities in 11 sectors and the micro-scale PPKM (Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions) which resembles a mini-lockdown at smallest regional level in the capital that has been implemented by local government is still being extended. The extension of Micro PPKM is until July 5, 2021 and can be extended again according to or following circumstances. Areas including in PPKM policy in capital are small villages (RT/RW) to the Kelurahan/Village level.

While the restrictions on activities for the existing of 11 sectors are to regulate community activities and discipline which include: Office Activities, Teaching and Learning, Essential Sector, Restaurants, Shopping Centers, Construction Activities, Worship, Activities in Public Areas, Cultural and Social Arts Activities, Meetings and Seminars, and Public Transportation.

Examples of restrictions on this activity include implementation of Work From Home for offices by 75%, marriage receptions up to maximum of 25% of building capacity and online school activities.

Also Read : 10 Apps You Can Use to Shop Groceries Online in Indonesia

​Vehicle’s Blocking at 10 Main Roads in Jakarta

​In addition, the police have blocked vehicles on 10 roads in Jakarta between 21.00 pm to 04.00 am, in order to suppress flow of peoples mobility because crowds often occur in those locations. The areas include: Bulungan Area (South Jakarta), Kemang Area (South Jakarta), Gunawarman Street and Suryo Street (South Jakarta), Sabang Area (Central Jakarta), Cikini Area (Central Jakarta), Asia-Africa Region (Central Jakarta), BKT-East Canal Flood Area (East Jakarta), Old Town Batavia Area (West Jakarta), Kelapa Gading Area (North Jakarta), Pantai Indah Kapuk Area (North Jakarta). This situation forces people of Jakarta to rest earlier than usual. 😊
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Plan to Increase Parking Rates in Jakarta

The Jakarta City Government plans to increase vehicle parking rates in the city to a maximum limit of Rp. 60,000/hour for cars and Rp. 18,000/hour for motorbikes. According to the Deputy Governor of Jakarta, the proposed tariff increase was carried out, among others, to emphasize citizens to switch of using public transportation, reduce congestion and in line with the new higher income levels of Jakarta residents.
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Tourist & Recreational Places will be Temporarily Closed

Due to the extension of PPKM Micro for 2 weeks from June 22 to July 5, 2021, a number of tourist and recreational places in Jakarta will be temporarily closed. Ancol beach tourism area and Ragunan zoo are among several public tourist attractions that will be temporarily closed until 5 July 2021 or until further notice.

Hopefully useful. Keeping safe and healthy, travelers!

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