Healthy Or Economic, Dilemma When Curfew Is Imposed In Makassar

MAKASSAR - The COVID-19 pandemic destroys the foundation of the economy and has a major impact on Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Makassar City, South Sulawesi.

Based on data from the Makassar City Cooperative Office, there are 13,277 MSMEs in Makassar City who have been affected by difficulties since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they were again tested by government policies in limiting trading operating hours.

The Makassar City Government extended a Circular (SE) limiting the operations of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) only until 19.00 WITA. This regulation is implemented in response to the high number of COVID-19 cases in South Sulawesi, especially Makassar City.

In fact, a similar circular has also been issued ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays in 2021 to anticipate a spike in cases. But in fact, the increase in COVID-19 cases is inevitable.

Data from the South Sulawesi COVID-19 Task Force shows that there are 300 people per day confirmed positive in Makassar City after the turn of the year. Because of this, trading operational restrictions were re-imposed on the grounds of reducing the spread of the corona virus in the community.

Acting Mayor of Makassar, Prof. Rudy Djamaluddin said that the policy of extending curfew restrictions was intended so that the potential for transmission of the corona virus could be closed, and those that were positive due to the pilkada cluster could gradually recover, until finally positive cases began to occur.

"This is government intervention. The potential for transmission after the 2020 Christmas and 2021 New Year celebrations cannot be predicted whether there will be an increase or a slope," he said as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, January 5.

Entered into force on Monday January 4 to January 11, the circular limits public places, mall operations, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants that are deemed to trigger crowds at night.

Since the emergence of this policy, it has again hit hard on the economy, especially the small and medium micro merchants in Daeng City.

An SME entrepreneur, Jumria Yulinda, admitted that his income from his marning corn products is getting worse.

Its turnover has dropped dramatically to 70 percent since the pandemic began, and has fallen to 80 percent due to restrictions on trading operations by the Makassar City Government.

That's because many of the products sold to supermarkets have to be returned because they are not sold.

According to Linda, that is how she is called, restrictions on trading operations should not be done at night because there is no difference between daytime and night time.

"What is the difference between day and night. In fact, more people gather during the day than at night. Visitors who come at night, they come to fulfill their needs that are difficult to reach during the day," he said.

Before the pandemic, you could get a turnover of 10 million per month which directly involved corn farmers from Bulukumba Regency and an expedition delivery service and three employees.

Meanwhile, after the pandemic emerged, three employees had to stop and manage their own businesses. Another difficulty was also encountered by the woman wearing the hijab. As is the case in terms of the delivery of raw materials due to restrictions in and out of Makassar. "Apart from Linda, other UMKM players are worried about the policies of the Makassar City Government, Azis said.

"It is undeniable, tenant owners are very worried about not being able to return their turnover due to this restriction. However, it seems that this policy also seems inevitable," he said.

Azis This policy will greatly impact the number of community visits to Mall Pipo. Although this is a government effort with all considerations to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, one of which is through limiting the operating hours of public places, including malls.

"Concrete steps that deserve to wait for the results. Hopefully through this method the COVID-19 cases can be reduced until they completely disappear," he explained.

Head of South Sulawesi Cooperative and UMKM Service, Abdul Malik Faisal, wants the restrictions on trading operations in Makassar to be reviewed again because it is considered to be detrimental to MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) actors.

"It is better if there is a study before making a policy so that everything can run without anyone being harmed," said Malik Faisal in Makassar.

Not a few MSME actors have suffered losses due to the issuance of policies on limiting operating hours of food stalls, restaurants, coffee shops, cafes and malls by the Makassar City Government.

Malik Faisal admitted that he received many questions from MSME actors whose businesses only open in the afternoon and evening. Because most of them operate at night, so if they are closed, there will be no transactions, income and cash flow automatically.

There are also vendors who can only open at night because they ride in front of shops or in front of agency offices. It is hoped that there will be a review so that there are solutions that do not harm MSMEs.

Even though at this time, MSME actors have also just begun to wake up and recover from social restrictions at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.