Indonesia has been battling the pandemic since March, drawing criticism from public health experts for prioritising economic over public health concerns.
The Southeast Asian nation has recorded more than 203,000 cases of the coronavirus and 8,336 deaths, the highest COVID-19 death toll in East Asia.
On Wednesday Baswedan told Jakartans: “Please don’t go out, don’t leave home and do not leave Jakarta unless necessary”.
On the streets of the capital, where residents walked past mock coffins intended to scare them into maintaining health protocols, news of the buckling healthcare system was met with trepidation.
“The situation is scary, a healthy person can suddenly fall sick and when they want to look for a hospital, they would get the news… (that there are not enough hospital beds),” said Sumaidi, an employee at a printing store.
“I can’t stop thinking about that.”
Read Also: Indonesia's capital to reimpose restrictions over coronavirus
Indonesia's main stock index fell 5% to hit its lowest level since late June following the governor’s announcement, triggering a 30-minute trade halt, while the central bank intervened to stabilise the rupiah exchange rate .
For millions who work in the informal sector, the lockdown brings a fresh economic blow.
“For sure our income will be impacted,” said Fredy, a motorcycle taxi driver, “Now it is great if we can get 50,000 rupiah (US$3.40) every day, but from Monday onwards we will suffer again.”
Tutum Rahanta, an executive with the association of shopping centre tenants, pleaded for the city administration to allow malls to remain open.
“We were already sick the first time they brought large-scale social restrictions and now that we're recovering during relaxation, (restrictions) are reinstated,” he said. “Things will get worse”.
