Calls grow for Indonesia restrictions as coronavirus toll rises

A groom putting a face mask on his bride before their wedding ceremony in Jakarta on Sunday (March 29) amid concerns of the Covid-19 outbreak. Doctors, politicians and human rights officials are calling on Indonesia's government to enact tighter movement restrictions as the death toll increases. - AFP

JAKARTA: Doctors, politicians and human rights commissioners are calling on Indonesia's government to enact tighter movement restrictions as the death toll from the Covid-19 (coronavirus) rose on Sunday (March 30) in the world's fourth most populous country, which has resisted lockdowns.

A government minister in the country of 260 million said on Friday that a regulation was being prepared so regions can limit movement to stop the spread of the disease, which has killed 114 people in Indonesia as of Sunday, with 1,285 confirmed cases.