Do Not Want To Join Jakarta, Cinemas In Malang Are Not Yet Able To Operate

JAKARTA - The Malang City Government has stated that it has not given permission for cinemas in the Malang City area, East Java, to resume operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor of Malang Sutiaji said that preparations for the opening of the cinema building had been carried out in advance. However, Malang City Government still wants to ascertain whether the prepared protocol can reduce the risk of COIVD-19 spread.

"Not yet (giving permission to open a cinema), we will see it first," said Sutiaji, in Malang City, East Java, as reported by Antara, Friday, October 23.

Sutiaji explained, indeed for some time, cinema business actors in Malang City have tested the application of health protocols in cinemas, so that they can operate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Sutiaji, the opening of a cinema building in Malang City cannot be equated with policies imposed in other areas, which have allowed the business sector to resume operations.

"The first protocol was ready, from two months ago we were ready. But we cannot follow other regions, because we know better here," said Sutiaji.

The Malang City Government will instruct the Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office (Disporapar) to check the readiness of cinemas that want to resume operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Indonesia, DKI Jakarta has allowed cinemas to start operating starting Wednesday, October 21.

Currently, Malang City is still in the orange zone or has a moderate risk of spreading COVID-19. It is targeted that in the near future, Malang City can be included in the yellow zone or an area with a low risk of spreading COVID-19.

Overall, in Malang City, there were 1,971 positive cases of COVID-19. Of the total, 1,743 people were declared cured, 196 people were reported dead, and the rest were still being treated.