Indonesia to widen emergency COVID-19 curbs to 15 cities

By Renju Jose and Byron Kaye Posted on July 9, 2021

FILE PHOTO: A general view shows a deserted main road during the imposition of large-scale social restrictions by the government to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia will impose emergency restrictions in some areas outside of Java and Bali islands, a senior minister said on Friday, to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The emergency measures will be similar to those in place on Bali and Java and will impact 15 cities in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Papua, chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto told a news conference.

Medical workers will also be given booster shots of the vaccine, he added. Indonesia reported 38,124 new coronavirus cases and 871 new fatalities on Friday

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Writing by Fathin Ungku; Editing by Martin Petty)