Coronavirus cases in Indonesia have tripled in the past three weeks, overwhelming hospitals in the capital Jakarta and other centers on the heavily populated island of Java.

On Monday, Indonesia recorded 20,694 new infections, bringing the weekly total to 131,553.

Three sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had urged tougher social restrictions but was overruled. He is continuing to push his case, they said. One of the sources said government meetings on the issue would take place this week. The health minister's position was supported by the tourism minister Sandiaga Uno, who confirmed to Reuters that a tougher lockdown was under active consideration.

"I am encouraging a tougher lockdown [but] we would need to provide the basic necessities for the people," he said.

"If the number of cases is increasing, then we need to adjust very quickly."

Citing the need to safeguard Southeast Asia's biggest economy, Indonesia has mostly rejected lockdowns imposed by its neighbours and similar large developing countries like India.

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