DKI DPRD Suggests Cafe Musicians To Test COVID-19 Before Performing

JAKARTA - Member of Commission B of DKI DPRD Wahyu Dewanto advised musicians to undergo a COVID-19 test before performing live music at a restaurant or cafe in Jakarta.

The test can be in the form of a rapid test or a swab (saliva sample). This is needed to minimize the spread of COVID-19 when musicians are performing.

"There could be conditions, for example, the vocalist must undergo a rapid test or swab before performing," said Wahyu when contacted, Sunday, August 30.

Wahyu also asked visitors and restaurant or cafe workers to be disciplined in implementing COVID-19 or 3M prevention protocols, such as wearing a mask when not eating, maintaining distance, and always washing hands.

"Those who watch must also be disciplined with the 3M protocol. If the music player is disciplined but the audience is not, that's just a lie," said Wahyu.

Separately, DKI DPRD Commission B Member Steven Setiabudi Musa encouraged the DKI Provincial Government to carry out routine supervision at restaurants or cafes that include live music activities in its business.

Because, he said, enforcement of the rules regarding the transitional PSBB protocol was still not running optimally in the field. So, there needs to be more optimal supervision, especially in small cafes that have the potential to ignore health protocols.

"Do not hesitate to take action when cafes or restaurants do not implement health protocols. Cafe owners must have the awareness to enforce health protocols for visitors. Certainly you can. Also supervision from the DKI Provincial Government, said Steven.

As is known, the DKI Provincial Government has allowed special acoustic music performances in restaurants. This is stated in the Decree Number of the Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Office Number 2976 of 2020.

Head of the Jakarta Disparekraf Tourism Industry Division Bambang Ismadi said the decision to permit acoustic music in restaurants or cafes was aimed at improving the economic conditions of musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Live music in a restaurant, if he enters an acoustic class like singing on a guitar, go ahead. Our goal is to bring musicians back to life," said Bambang.

Bambang explained that music performances in restaurants other than acoustics, such as disc jockeys (DJs) are still prohibited from being shown live. Meanwhile, the band's performance had to go through requirements such as personnel restrictions and the potential for overcrowding on stage.

The problem, he said, was that the live music performance had the potential to gather people into a crowd to sing and dance together. This will have the potential to spread the spread of COVID-19.

Then, this musical performance may not bring in famous artists. This is because the appearance of famous artists in music activities has the potential to increase the crowd of visitors. It is feared that this will increase the spread of COVID-19.

"Often cafes and restaurants hold special events or shows with the appearance of famous artists wearing tickets, which are aimed at attracting visitors, it will invite a crowd. So, we have not allowed that," he said.