Nightlife Entrepreneurs Cannot Just Demand To Open Without Solutions

JAKARTA - A number of night entertainment workers protested against DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan through demonstrations. They demanded Anies to reopen the nightclub which was the source of his livelihood.

Seeing this, an epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, Pandu Riono, said that night entertainment workers should not only demand the opening of their workplace without offering a solution.

"The association of entertainment owners should come to the Jakarta Tourism Office, coordinating on how to prepare (night entertainment, ed) to open. So, it's not prohibited, but resolved, because if the demonstration is there is no solution," said Pandu when contacted by VOI, Monday, 22 July.

This is because, said Pandu, the reason the DKI Provincial Government is still closing all entertainment activities in closed spaces during the PSBB transition period is because the development of the COVID-19 case in Jakarta is still high.

Moreover, currently the corona virus has been confirmed to be transmitted through the air via microdroplets. Microdroplets are very small droplets of particles. Activities in closed spaces have a high risk of transmitting COVID-19.

"They (night entertainment businesses, red) must be more adaptable. If necessary, make entertainment more open. Because, the important thing from opening a business activity must be in a place that has ventilation, so that the air circulation is good," said Pandu.

Pandu asks entrepreneurs to realize that nightclubs have the potential to transmit COVID-19. He gave an example of a case in South Korea where nightclubs and bars became a cluster of the spread of the corona virus when it opened.

"I see data from abroad, that is a nightclub for a new cluster. So, they have to learn from outside experience and they change their methods (operating protocols, red). Now, that's called learning," said Pandu.

"Instead of opening it and then closing it again the next day because there is an increase in the number of COVID-19 or a new cluster, it is better to be prepared to be opened forever," he added.

A demonstration of night entertainment workers was held in front of the DKI City Hall, Central Jakarta, on Monday, July 21. The demonstration was organized by the Jakarta Entertainment Entrepreneurs Association (Asphija) and a number of workers in nightlife venues such as discotheques, karaoke places, bars and massage parlors.

General Chairperson of Aspija Hana Suryani demanded Anies Baswedan to reopen nightclubs which have been closed due to COVID-19.

Despite urging the reopening of night entertainment venues, Hana admitted that she had not prepared a COVID-19 prevention protocol that would be implemented when nightclubs reopen. He submitted the preparation of this guide to the DKI Provincial Government.

"The protocol is not from us. The protocol from the Jakarta Tourism Office is the regulator because there is action. If it is wrong, it will be dealt with. It is just the agreement," said Hana.

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