Indonesia reinstates Jakarta lockdown from 14 Sept as virus cases grow

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Indonesia is re-imposing a citywide lockdown on Jakarta starting 14 September, to contain surging cases of coronavirus infections now crowding hospitals in the capital.

Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan on 8 September announced that large-scale social restrictions will be re-instated which will require all offices and workplaces to suspend operations.

The looming lockdown of the capital sent Indonesian stocks tumbling on Thursday, with the Jakarta Composite Index down 4.88% as of 11:30 hours local time (04:30 GMT).

Shares of Indonesia’s sole cracker operator Chandra Asri Petrochemical slumped by 6.59%; while those of acetic acid maker Perkebunan Nusantara Jakarta shed 6.77%

Public transport in the capital will be limited and religious activities can only be performed in small communities.

Only essential sectors will be allowed to continue limited operations with reduced number of workers, Baswedan said.

These include the health, food, energy, communication and information technology, finance, logistics, hospitality, construction, strategic industry, basic services including public utilities and industries.

Indonesia has recorded the highest number of coronavirus deaths in southeast Asia at 8,336 as of 9 September, with total infections at 203,342.

The country, which is the biggest economy in southeast Asia, reported 3,307 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday, about a third of which were in Jakarta.

The capital added 1,004 cases, bringing the city’s total infections to 49,397.

About 77% of the 4,053 hospital isolation beds in Jakarta are occupied as of Wednesday, with the limit set to be exceeded by 17 September at current levels, Baswedan said.

Plants operating in Jakarta

Company	Product
Eternal Resin	UPE Resins
Pardic Jaya Chemical	UPE Resins
PPG Industries	Alkyd Resins
Eastern Polymer	PVC
Justus Sakti Raya	Benzene Miscellaneous
Justus Sakti Raya	Maleic Anhydride
Justus Sakti Raya	UPE Resins
Perkebunan Nusantara Indonesia	Acetic Acid
Susilia Indah Synthetic Fibers Industries (SULINDAFIN)	Polyester Polymer
Susilia Indah Synthetic Fibers Industries (SULINDAFIN)	Polyester Polymer

Source: ICIS Supply & Demand Database

Additional reporting by Yeow Pei Lin

Photo: Indonesia’s makeshift quarantine facility at Patriot Candrabhaga stadium. 9 September 2020 (Photo by Achmad Ibrahim/AP/Shutterstock)

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