COVID -19 and The New Normal in Local Governments: The Impact Analysis of Implementation of The New Habits Adaptation Policy on The Usage of ICT in West Java Province, Indonesia

Abstract

The Provincial Government of West Java, Indonesia implements the New Habit Adaptation Policy-AKB to control the Number of COVID-19 Patients. This article describes a qualitative study in three city in West Java Province, namely Bandung City, Bekasi City, and Depok City, to investigate the impact of implementing the AKB policy on social ICT use. Semi-structured interviews with 30 netizens at the city, district and village levels were conducted by three academician and three well-trained communication masters students. This data is complemented by data from FGDs with Communication master students and discussions with academics and is also complemented by literature studies and documentation related to the implementation of AKB policy. Results show that the COVID-19 pandemic positively impacts the acceleration adaptation use of ICT in society. Various Micro, Small, and Medium Entreprise-MSME activities online, the learning process distance, digital literacy, and digital public services have become the community of a need during the COVID-19 pandemic.