Jakarta tightens restrictions to slow virus spread

Indonesia's capital city tightened restrictions after a decree took effect on Friday to try and slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

Deaths in Jakarta from the virus spiked last week.

Jakarta - home to 10 million people - is now Indonesia's virus epicenter with 1,706 COVID-19 cases and 142 deaths. The country has 3,293 cases and recorded a total 280 deaths.

Jakarta's governor had announced a decree imposing large-scale social restriction in an attempt to prevent spreading.

The decree gives authorities more power to press people to stay at home and businesses to close, and will be reevaluated every two weeks. People who violate the restriction will face up to one year in jail and a 100 million rupiah (6,350 US dollar) fine.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those with mild or no visible symptoms.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.