Indonesia considers extending restrictions on movement as COVID-19 cases climb

FILE PHOTO: Locals wearing protective masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) stand in line as they receive assistance given by Indonesian President in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 16, 2021. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia is evaluating whether to end COVID-19 restrictions on movement as planned or extend them, as the country battles with a surge of new infections and a crumbling economy, senior minister Luhut Pandjaitan said on Saturday.

The curbs on movement, which include the closure of shopping malls and a work-from-home order for non-essential workers, on the islands of Java, Bali and 15 other cities across the archipelago, are set to end on July 20.