Dozens Of Cafes And Restaurants In Bandung Close And Lay Off Employees, AKAR-PHRI: We Ask For Displacement Rules Of 0 Percent Abolished

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Cafe and Restaurant Association (AKAR)-Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bandung City, West Java, stated that based on the results of a survey conducted by AKAR in one day (on June 23, 2021) 50 cafes and restaurants reported a decrease in turnover (income) which is very significant, some have even closed and cut off their employment relationship.

"This survey is still ongoing and the final results will be attached to a letter to the government or presented to an audience," said AKAR PHRI Head of Bandung City, Arif Maulana, in a press release, quoted from Antara, Friday, June 25.

AKAR-PHRI of Bandung City asked the Bandung City Government to revise the latest Mayor's Regulation, specifically related to the zero percent dine-in rule.

The regulation regarding zero percent dine-in applies based on Bandung Mayor Regulation No. 61 of 2021 concerning the 6th Amendment to Bandung Mayor Regulation Number 1 of 2021 concerning the Enforcement of Proportional Large-Scale Social Restrictions in the Context of Prevention and Control of COVID-19 or Policy for the Implementation of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) in Bandung City in June 2021.

"So we propose to revise the Bandung City Perwal Number 61 of 2021 regarding PPKM Bandung City. In its implementation, the Bandung City Perwal, especially on the zero percent dine-in prohibition point for cafes and restaurants in Bandung City," he said.

As is known, cafes and restaurants as elements of tourism are the largest contributor to regional income (PAD) for the city of Bandung. Therefore, it can be said that the tourism element is the driving force for the economy of the city of Bandung.

Arif is worried that the policy will have an impact on the length of time for macro and micro economic recovery and on the other hand with the vaccination program carried out by the government so that vaccination is one of the solutions in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Arif, the regulation contradicts the Circular of the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia dated June 21, 2021 (HM.4.6/158/SET.M.EKON.3/06/2021) and the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 14 of 2021.

He further said that since the COVID-19 pandemic, cafes and restaurants in the city of Bandung have taken various ways to survive by following the existing city government policies.

He said the policy had an impact on the layoff of many employees and the closure of a number of business units.

"So we propose that the Bandung City government can involve government partner organizations or associations as related objects in formulating policies related to cafe and restaurant businesses," he said.