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JAKARTA: Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan called on people to stay home and for shopping malls to close early during the Christmas and New Year holidays to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In a circular signed Wednesday (December 16) and in effect from December 18 to January 8, the governor urged residents “not to present or attend activities that may cause crowds.”
Workplaces were also asked to close at 7 p.m. and to limit the number of workers to 50 percent, except in essential places that provide public services and perform emergency functions.
The governor also instructed government-run parks, museums, sports facilities, and tourist areas to close early at 7 p.m. and recommended that private parties do the same.
Store, restaurant, and mall operators have been advised to close at 7 pm from December 24 to 27 and December 31 to January 3.
People were also encouraged not to leave their homes except to perform religious duties or purchase essential items or in an emergency during the same periods.
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Jakarta police had previously said they would deploy more than 8,000 officers to patrol the city and make sure no crowds gather to celebrate the New Year. Police have promised strict measures to break up the crowds.
Furthermore, the city government has dissuaded people from entering and leaving Jakarta, requiring travelers to submit rapid antigen test results before boarding planes, buses, trains and ships. Previously, travelers could use the results of a less accurate rapid antibody test.
However, this requirement does not apply to people traveling in their private vehicles.
The governor has also banned public officials from traveling out of town this Christmas season.
Jakarta is an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 150,000 people in Jakarta have been infected with COVID-19, about a quarter of the 630,000 national cases.
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