Remember, Covid-19 is Still Here

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Police officers from the Polda Metro Jaya stand guard at the motorized vehicle restriction area based on odd-even number plates on Jalan Sudirman, Semanggi, South Jakarta, Thursday (12/8/2021).

The Jakarta Metropolitan Police and the government of the Jakarta special capital provincial plan on Friday (22/10/2021) to make a decision on expanding the odd-even traffic zones in the city.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic swept through this country and 220 other countries and territories, Jakarta has not applied the odd-even license plate traffic system, only reimposing the policy on 12 Aug. 2021 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in eight designated zones. At the time, transmission in the capital was declining following the devastating second wave in June-July after the Idul Fitri holiday season. The application of the odd-even traffic system was evaluated for fear that it could cause crowding on public transportation, so it was only imposed from Monday to Friday on three main thoroughfares: Jl. Jen. Sudirman, Jl. M.H. Thamrin and Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said. The policy is in effect to date.

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The government decided to lower the level of the public activity restrictions (PPKM) for Jakarta from level 3 to level 2 on Tuesday (19/10). This status is valid until 1 Nov. 2021, as stipulated in Home Affairs Minister Instruction No. 53/2021 dated 20 Oct. 2021 on the enforcement of PPKM Levels 3, 2 and 1 for Covid-19 in Java and Bali. Lowering the PPKM level in Jakarta was reaffirmed in of the Gubernatorial Decision No. 1245/2021 on PPKM Level 2 for Covid-19, effective as of Wednesday, 20 Oct. (Kompas, 21/10/2021).

The change in the PPKM level restores 100 percent maximum passenger capacity for public vehicles, mass transit systems, taxis and rented vehicles, with strict health protocols. Under PPKM level 3, maximum passenger capacity was just 50 percent. According to Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, the Jakarta government does not want to take a hasty approach to easing the PPKM levels. According to Jakarta Gubernatorial Regulation No. 88/2019, the odd-even traffic policy applies to 25 zones.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Residents walk near Asemka Market, West Jakarta, when restrictions on community activities begin to be relaxed, Thursday (7/10/2021). Economic recovery and financial system stability still face challenges amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over the last month, we have actually observed the resumption of heavy traffic in the capital. As a matter of fact, the pandemic is not over yet and additional Jakarta residents have tested positive for Covid-19, although their number is decreasing. Confirmed Covid-19 cases in Jakarta totaled 1,234 as of 21 Oct., with 89 new cases. Jakarta has not recorded any Covid-19 deaths for the last two days. In comparison, Jakarta recorded a total of 14,619 confirmed cases on 12 July 2021 (the highest daily tally of new cases), while it recorded 265 deaths on 20 July.

We must bear in mind that even people who have been vaccinated can still be infected with Covid-19.

If it is applied, expanding the odd-even traffic system can indeed reduce community mobility and lighten congestion in several zones across the capital. On the other hand, however, this could cause crowding on public transportation, with the potential for resurgence in virus transmission. We must bear in mind that even people who have been vaccinated can still be infected with Covid-19.

Expanding the odd-even traffic system will screen residents entering certain parts of Jakarta. Yet the policy will be effective in curbing Covid-19 transmission only if it is complemented with another policy that strengthens preventive measures that curb transmission of the novel coronavirus. Remember, Covid-19 is still hanging around.

(This article was translated by Aris Prawira)