14 Sep 2020
Jakarta Hits COVID-19 Brakes as Capital Placed under Partial Lockdown Once Again

With the number of COVID-19 cases soaring and intensive-care beds becoming scarcer in Jakarta, the region’s governor, Mr. Anies Baswedan, has issued Jakarta Gubernatorial Regulation No. 88 of 2020 (“Reg. 88”),[1] which reinstates a partial lockdown in the national capital. The previous partial lockdown (introduced in April 2020) was relaxed on June 5. The new arrangements, known in Indonesia as large-scale social restrictions (Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar / PSBB), entered into effect on Monday, Sept. 14.

Reg. 88 replicates most of the restrictive measures applied during the first partial lockdown introduced by Jakarta Gubernatorial Regulation No. 33 of 2020.[2] However, there are three important differences: the working-from-home (WFH) rules are more flexible than the last time; mandatory quarantine has been introduced for suspected COVID-19 cases for the first time in Indonesia since the onset of the pandemic; and travel to and from Jakarta will continue to be permitted, albeit officially discouraged -- by contrast, the earlier lockdown saw police checkpoints mounted on major routes around the capital to prevent movements of people.

In this update, we will focus on the issue that is perhaps of most immediate concern to employers, i.e., whether or not employees can carry out their work as normal?

Working From Home

According to both the Jakarta Administration and medical experts, one of the most significant causes of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Jakarta has been the virus’ transmission in the workplace.

Given this, the administration has introduced a modified form of the working-from-home (WFH) policy that was applied earlier this year. This time, however, the approach is more relaxed. Rather than mandatory WFH for all non-exempt sectors, now up to 25 percent of an employer’s workforce will be permitted to be simultaneously present in the workplace should WFH “not be possible” (to quote Reg. 88). Unfortunately, no guidance is given as to what is and is not “possible.” Thus, a lot would seem to depend on subjective decisions by employers.

The same businesses / sectors are exempt from WFH requirements this time around as were the last time, namely:

  • Health
  • Food and beverage
  • Energy
  • Communications and information technology
  • Finance
  • Logistics
  • Hotels
  • Construction
  • Strategic industries
  • Basic services, public utilities and industries designated as vital national objects, and other designated facilities; and/or
  • Basic essentials

Duration

The new Jakarta restrictions, which are valid for 2 weeks, officially expire on Sept. 27. However, they may be further extended for periods of 2 weeks each time.

Contact us

Should you have any queries on the above or require legal advice as to how you can best protect your interests during this time of uncertainty, please contact the persons below, call us on +6221-2505125 or email us at info@abnrlaw.com.

Mr. Emir Nurmansyah (enurmansyah@abnrlaw.com)

Mr. Nafis Adwani (nadwani@abnrlaw.com)

Mr. Agus Ahadi Deradjat (aderadjat@abnrlaw.com)

[1] Peraturan Gubernur Nomor 88 Tahun 2020 tentang Perubahan atas Peraturan Gubernur Nomor 33 Tahun 2020 tentang Pelaksanaan Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar dalam Penanganan Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) di Provinsi Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta.

[2] Jakarta Gubernatorial Regulation No. 33 of 2020 on Large-scale Social Restrictions in Jakarta Special Capital Region (Peraturan Gubernur DKI Jakarta No. 33/2020 Tentang Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar di DKI Jakarta).

This edition of ABNR News and the contents hereof are intended solely to provide a general overview, for informational purposes, of selected recent developments in Indonesian law. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Accordingly, ABNR accepts no liability of any kind in respect of any statement, opinion, view, error, or omission that may be contained herein. In all circumstances, you are strongly advised to consult a licensed Indonesian legal practitioner before taking any action that could adversely affect your rights and obligations under Indonesian law.

NEWS DETAIL

14 Sep 2020
Jakarta Hits COVID-19 Brakes as Capital Placed under Partial Lockdown Once Again

With the number of COVID-19 cases soaring and intensive-care beds becoming scarcer in Jakarta, the region’s governor, Mr. Anies Baswedan, has issued Jakarta Gubernatorial Regulation No. 88 of 2020 (“Reg. 88”),[1] which reinstates a partial lockdown in the national capital. The previous partial lockdown (introduced in April 2020) was relaxed on June 5. The new arrangements, known in Indonesia as large-scale social restrictions (Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar / PSBB), entered into effect on Monday, Sept. 14.

Reg. 88 replicates most of the restrictive measures applied during the first partial lockdown introduced by Jakarta Gubernatorial Regulation No. 33 of 2020.[2] However, there are three important differences: the working-from-home (WFH) rules are more flexible than the last time; mandatory quarantine has been introduced for suspected COVID-19 cases for the first time in Indonesia since the onset of the pandemic; and travel to and from Jakarta will continue to be permitted, albeit officially discouraged -- by contrast, the earlier lockdown saw police checkpoints mounted on major routes around the capital to prevent movements of people.

In this update, we will focus on the issue that is perhaps of most immediate concern to employers, i.e., whether or not employees can carry out their work as normal?

Working From Home

According to both the Jakarta Administration and medical experts, one of the most significant causes of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Jakarta has been the virus’ transmission in the workplace.

Given this, the administration has introduced a modified form of the working-from-home (WFH) policy that was applied earlier this year. This time, however, the approach is more relaxed. Rather than mandatory WFH for all non-exempt sectors, now up to 25 percent of an employer’s workforce will be permitted to be simultaneously present in the workplace should WFH “not be possible” (to quote Reg. 88). Unfortunately, no guidance is given as to what is and is not “possible.” Thus, a lot would seem to depend on subjective decisions by employers.

The same businesses / sectors are exempt from WFH requirements this time around as were the last time, namely:

  • Health
  • Food and beverage
  • Energy
  • Communications and information technology
  • Finance
  • Logistics
  • Hotels
  • Construction
  • Strategic industries
  • Basic services, public utilities and industries designated as vital national objects, and other designated facilities; and/or
  • Basic essentials

Duration

The new Jakarta restrictions, which are valid for 2 weeks, officially expire on Sept. 27. However, they may be further extended for periods of 2 weeks each time.

Contact us

Should you have any queries on the above or require legal advice as to how you can best protect your interests during this time of uncertainty, please contact the persons below, call us on +6221-2505125 or email us at info@abnrlaw.com.

Mr. Emir Nurmansyah (enurmansyah@abnrlaw.com)

Mr. Nafis Adwani (nadwani@abnrlaw.com)

Mr. Agus Ahadi Deradjat (aderadjat@abnrlaw.com)

[1] Peraturan Gubernur Nomor 88 Tahun 2020 tentang Perubahan atas Peraturan Gubernur Nomor 33 Tahun 2020 tentang Pelaksanaan Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar dalam Penanganan Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) di Provinsi Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta.

[2] Jakarta Gubernatorial Regulation No. 33 of 2020 on Large-scale Social Restrictions in Jakarta Special Capital Region (Peraturan Gubernur DKI Jakarta No. 33/2020 Tentang Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar di DKI Jakarta).

This edition of ABNR News and the contents hereof are intended solely to provide a general overview, for informational purposes, of selected recent developments in Indonesian law. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Accordingly, ABNR accepts no liability of any kind in respect of any statement, opinion, view, error, or omission that may be contained herein. In all circumstances, you are strongly advised to consult a licensed Indonesian legal practitioner before taking any action that could adversely affect your rights and obligations under Indonesian law.