Indonesia to impose level Three restrictions over third wave of Covid-19

People wearing traditional outfits carry offerings to pray during the religious festival of Kuningan, the last day of the Galungan celebrations believed to be the ascendent day of ancestral holy spirits returning to heaven, at Sakenan temple on Serangan island on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on November 20, 2021. - AFP

JAKARTA, Nov 20 (Xinhua): The Indonesian government will impose the moderate level 3 public mobility restrictions, locally known as PPKM, nationwide from Dec. 24 to Jan 2 in order to contain a third wave of coronavirus infections expected in year-end holidays, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy has announced.

"During the Christmas and New Year holidays, the regulations will apply throughout Indonesia according to PPKM level 3," Effendy said in a press release.

PPKM level 3 means that public places such as cinemas, restaurants, shopping centers, and houses of worship are only allowed to receive visitors at up to 50 percent capacity and to operate until 9pm.

Open spaces such as public squares are required to be closed and celebrations involving crowds or fireworks are prohibited.

Several weeks ago, the government advised people not to travel nor leave the urban cities where they work for their hometowns.

The government has also trimmed the Christmas holiday from two days to one day while tightening the requirements for travel using public transportation means.

The South-East Asian country has managed to contain the second wave of Covid-19 transmissions triggered by the Delta variant with a peak on July 15 and now the areas in the archipelago are under the lowest PPKM levels 1 and 2. - Xinhua