Coronavirus: Jakarta residents face hardships during lockdown

Jakarta's government said last week that the coronavirus-related social restrictions in the city will remain in place until May 22. The measures in Jakarta give authorities more power to press people to stay at home and force businesses to close. In normal times, thousands of tourists flock to Jakarta's Old Town area daily to visit places like the Fatahillah Museum, but it now appears deserted.

Since April 20, Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) has closed five stations in the capital. The network's operating hours have also been restricted, with transport running only from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Commuters are required to wear face masks and maintain physical distancing.

Living in a 25-square-meter house (about 270 square feet), Dewi Yulianti (left) and Esa Dwinov (right) have been sharing a cellphone for the past few weeks. Dwinov, who is attending primary school, is required to take part in online learning activities during the lockdown. Assignments are given through messaging apps. Students and parents need to send photos as proof that they are taking part.

Tanah Rendah is a slum located in Kampung Melayu, Jatinegara district, East Jakarta. The aerial photo shows the high population density here, with at least a thousand households estimated to be residing in the slum. Many say maintaining physical distancing here is extremely difficult.

Online ride-hailing services have been badly hit by the social restrictions. Cab drivers have been prohibited from picking up passengers, although they are allowed to transport goods. The livelihoods of many street vendors in Jakarta have also been imperiled by the lockdown.

Police can break up any event with more than five participants. Violators can face up to one year in jail and a 100 million rupiah (€5,858/$6,350) fine. Police have set up a number of checkpoints in the capital to monitor and enforce the restrictions.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo acknowledged last month that the government had withheld information about the coronavirus outbreak to avoid stirring panic. But delays in social distancing and low testing rates have raised concern that Indonesia's outbreak is worse than it has acknowledged. Many Indonesians also continue to flout rules on wearing face masks and physical distancing.