Waiting For Central Direction, Pekanbaru City Government Has Not Implemented Motor Vehicle Free Day

The atmosphere of a free driving day in Pekanbaru City some time ago before the COVID-19 pandemic (ANTARA)

PEKANNBARU - Pekanbaru City Government, Riau, until now has no plans to reopen motor vehicle-free day activities even though COVID-19 cases continue to slop.

Head of the Pekanbaru City Transportation Service (Dishub) Yuliarso said, currently Pekanbaru City is still in a PPKM level 2 condition so that it prohibits activities that invite crowds of residents.

Even though it has been at PPKM level 2 and most community activities have been relaxed, he continued, for motorized vehicle-free days activities are still waiting for central direction.

"We are still waiting for the center. Don't go too far, because in some areas we have seen that COVID-19 cases have started to increase again," Yuliarso said in Pekanbaru as reported by Antara, Friday, November 19.

The government does not want to rush into making policies in easing community activities, in this case the motorized vehicle-free day. There must be a thorough study of the impacts that can be caused.

"We must anticipate (the increase in COVID-19 cases). We must not be complacent, the Mayor ordered, even though the conditions have sloping but we must remain vigilant," he explained.

Until now, the number of COVID-19 cases in Pekanbaru City has decreased. As of November 19, 2021, there are four positive COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized and two people are undergoing isolation.

"We hope that this downward trend will continue to occur. People will remain disciplined in implementing health protocols so that COVID-19 cases do not increase again," said Yuliarso.