Indonesia gradually reopens its economy

Indonesia's capital partly reopened on Monday after two months of lockdown, as the world's fourth most populous nation gradually restarts its economy. Jakarta, home to 11 million people, had been under large-scale social restrictions to contain the spread of the coronavirus since April 10. Offices, restaurants and grocery stores reopened with only 50% of their employees and customers. Public transportation also resumed services. On Friday, all worship facilities in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, including mosques, were allowed to reopen at half capacity and with social-distancing requirements in place.

Schools are remaining closed during this month's transition phase to the so-called "new normal," while some shopping centres, zoos and beaches will reopen next week. Long lines of travellers could be seen at railway stations waiting to board trains back to Jakarta, with many ignoring distancing rules. Jakarta has recorded more than 8,000 cases of the coronavirus, including 529 deaths. Nationwide, there have been 31,186 infections and 1,851 fatalities.