Sorry For Magelang Residents, City Government Closes The Square Anticipating New Year's Eve Crowds

Magelang City Regional Secretary Joko Budiyono

JAKARTA - The Magelang City Government, Central Java, closed the square area on the eve of the New Year's Eve 2022 to anticipate crowds as a step to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Magelang City Regional Secretary Joko Budiyono in Magelang, Monday, December 20, said that the closure of the square was carried out from December 31, 2021 to January 1, 2022.

He said the policy was in accordance with the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs number 66 of 2021 regarding the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 at Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022.

"Considering that the current condition is still facing the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with the emergence of the Omicron variant, which spreads more quickly, activities that invite crowds at Christmas and New Year are tightened," he said as quoted by Antara.

He mentioned that traffic restrictions or engineering will be carried out starting at 15.00 WIB on December 31, 2021 until January 1, 2022 at 06.00 WIB. The transportation service (dishub) coordinates with the Magelang City Police in the traffic engineering.

"The culinary center and angkringan alun-alun will be closed from December 31, 2021 to January 1, 2022. For cafes, an SE will be made regarding operating hours and room capacity of the PP Satpol," said Joko.

Furthermore, tightening and monitoring of health protocols will also be implemented in churches and places that function as places of worship and Christmas 2021 celebrations. Then shopping areas and local tourist attractions.

"The Mount Tidar and Kyai Langgeng Park will be closed from December 31, 2021 at 07.00 WIB until January 1, 2022 at 07.00 WIB, then they will be opened according to the provisions of 75 percent of the existing capacity," he said.

He appealed to the public to celebrate the 2022 New Year as much as possible individually or with their families and to avoid crowds. All forms of celebration with parades and processions are also prohibited. This provision also applies to managers of shopping centers or malls.

Joko appealed to people who travel outside the region to optimize the use of the PeduliLindung application and fulfill the requirements for long-distance travel using public transportation.