Thousands of soldiers and police were deployed in the streets of the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali to impose new measures aimed at containing the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country, which is witnessing an unprecedented surge in cases of Covid-19.

The country's health care system is on the verge of collapse, with hospitals overcrowded and unable to receive more patients, prompting patients' families to seek to secure oxygen bottles to treat the injured and dying in their homes.

Hundreds of barriers were set up, while mosques, parks, shopping centers and restaurants were closed in the capital, Jakarta, and on the island of Bali, which was badly affected by the epidemic.

More than 50,000 police were deployed to enforce the restrictions in areas with a population of more than 100 million people.

The same measures were imposed in Bali, where police patrolled in front of closed beach restaurants and cafes after the island abandoned its plans to receive foreign tourists.

Indonesia, which is the fourth largest country in the world in terms of population, witnessed an increase in the number of daily cases, which doubled four times in less than a month. On Saturday, it recorded a record 27,913 injuries in the past 24 hours and 493 deaths. Friday it recorded 539 deaths.

"The tighter restrictions came too late," Jakarta resident Maya Pospita Sari said.

"In the past, those infected with Covid-19 were foreigners, but now the closest people are the ones who are infected," and added, "The virus is getting close and it is terrifying."

- 'The little ones' -

The Ministry of Health attributes the increase in infections to the Delta mutant,  which was detected for the first time in India and has since become prevalent in at least 85 countries.

Experts had previously warned that millions of people coming to the country to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with their families would lead to a surge in infections.

Saturday, the streets of Jakarta seemed almost empty, but staying at home is not an option for many daily-workers in a country of about 270 million people.

"Measures should be stricter, but please take into account small people like me," said Baiju, a 35-year-old coffee street vendor.

"Of course, I am afraid ... but this is my only source of livelihood and I support my wife and two children," he added.

President Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, has long resisted pressure to impose a comprehensive closure, as witnessed in many countries, considering that such a measure would destroy the country's economy.

But this week, the court ordered all employees of non-essential companies to work from home and mandated distance learning.

These measures will be kept in place until July 20, in the hope of reducing daily cases to below 10,000.

But health experts have warned that tightening restrictions may not be enough, especially since public transportation is still operating, albeit with a limited capacity, and water and air ferries are available for those who have received at least one vaccine dose.

"How can physical distancing be enforced in public transport?" asked Indonesian epidemiologist Windu Purnomo.

"The government continues to prioritize the economy by allowing people to move," he added.

On Saturday, Jakarta witnessed a large-scale vaccination campaign in the capital's stadium for teenagers (between 12 and 17 years old), while Indonesia is racing to vaccinate about 180 million people by the beginning of next year.

Currently, only about five percent of the country's population has received the two doses.