Malls May Be Opened When PPKM Continues, Luhut: Elderly 70 Years And Children Under 12 Years Are Prohibited From Entering

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo: Doc. Kemenko Marves)

JAKARTA - The government has just made a decision to extend the Implementation of Level 4 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) until next Monday, August 16, 2021. There is a slight easing of this extension, one of which is for the shopping center and mall sectors.

Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said the government would conduct trials of gradual opening of malls and shopping centers in the Level 4 PPKM area.

"The government will conduct a trial of gradual opening for malls, shopping centers at level 4 (regions) by paying attention to the implementation of health protocols," Luhut said at a press conference, Monday, August 9 night.

Luhut, who is also the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves), further explained that the trial of opening shopping centers and malls will be carried out in Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang and Surabaya with a visitor capacity of 25 percent. Of course, he said, the trials took place under strict health protocols.

However, there are certain conditions for anyone who wants to enter a mall or shopping center. Those who are allowed to enter the mall are that they must have been vaccinated and must not be under 12 years old and elderly parents (elderly) over 70 years old.

"Only those who have been vaccinated can enter the mall and must use the PeduliLindung application. Children under 12 years old and parents over 70 years old will be banned from entering malls, temporary shopping centers," said Luhut.