Member Of The Surabaya Regional Representatives Council: Do Not Let Mall Restrictions Harm Mall Entrepreneurs And Store Owners

JAKARTA - Legislators hope that the Surabaya City Government's policy of limiting mall visitors in anticipation of the spread of COVID-19 ahead of Eid Al-Fitr will not harm mall entrepreneurs and outlet owners.

Member of Commission B for the Economy of the Surabaya City Regional Representatives Council (DPRD), John Thamrun, in Surabaya, Thursday, May 6, said that entrepreneurs who open shops in malls also need visitors so that their businesses can provide income during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I think it would be wiser to adapt it to the situation and conditions on the field", he said, quoted by Antara.

Previously, the Surabaya City Government on May 3, 2021, issued a Circular (SE) numbered 443/5684/436.8.4/2021 which was addressed to the manager or person in charge of the mall. The SE aims to anticipate a surge in visitors and the spread of COVID-19 in malls.

John Thamrun said that the Surabaya City Government should regulate the capacity of existing malls in Surabaya. However, he continued, in its implementation in the field, it must also be addressed wisely, that the number of outlets or shops inside also needs to be considered.

According to him, celebrating religious holidays such as Eid Al-Fitr is the time for stall owners to harvest because of the large number of mall visitors. However, he said, because it is still a COVID-19 pandemic, there must be strict monitoring of health protocols as well as the flow of regulations and restrictions on mall visitors.

"I just agree that it is to break the chain of COVID-19. What is important is that the health protocols must be carried out properly. Even though now many people have received vaccines, they still have to obey the health protocols", he said.

He said shop owners or outlets in the mall had also restricted visitors from entering their outlets.

"This is what I think should be tightened and strengthened, the supervision apart from the number of visitors who enter", he said.

Head of Public Relations of the Surabaya City Government, Febriadhitya previously said, Circular (SE) SE numbered 443/5684/436.8.4/2021 states, shopping center managers are asked to be able to control the capacity of the number of people in the building as a whole, be it outlets, dining areas, the atrium, and the hall are only allowed to accommodate 50 percent of the total free movement space.

"They have to control the capacity of visitors inside the building, at a maximum of only 50 percent of the capacity", he said.

In addition, Febri also explained that shopping center managers must make improvements to outlets, dining areas, atrium, and halls to regulate the distance between people at least one meter and make a written sign at the entrance that informs about the maximum capacity and number of visitors allowed in the area.

"Now, if it is full inside, the manager must strictly prohibit other visitors from entering for a while", he said.