Association Of Mall Managers Regarding PSBB DKI: The Condition Of Shopping Centers Will Be More Poor

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JAKARTA - The economic condition of shopping centers or malls is predicted to be worse off than the previous PSBB implementation. This prediction is related to the re-application of the strict PSBB that was decided by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.

"The condition of the shopping centers in the total PSBB that will come will be worse than the PSBB at the start of the pandemic," said Chairman of the DPP Indonesian Shopping Center Management Association (APPBI) Alphonzus Widjaja in a written statement, Thursday, September 10.

Alphonzus said, when the PSBB was first implemented in April, mall managers still had financial reserves. At that time, malls could still survive because the first PSBB was implemented when economic conditions were still normal.

However, when the PSBB will be implemented again on September 14, with the closure of all shops except for foodstuffs and medicines, Alphonzus said that the mall will be battered to maintain its business.

Because, currently, all business sectors are still trying to restore economic conditions since all shops in malls reopened during the transitional PSBB period.

"The condition of shopping centers during the transition period of PSBB is still not recovering and is still in a bad condition. If now entering PSBB, shopping centers will be battered," said Alphonzus.

However, he said, shopping centers must also comply with the decision of the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan with all the risks and consequences.

"This incident is a very valuable lesson for all of us about the importance of compliance and discipline in implementing health protocols in this pandemic," he explained.

The Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan decided the PSBB was strictly enforced. Anies called this decision "pulling the emergency brake" amid the soaring cases of COVID-19 in Jakarta. This emergency brake was applied with the implementation of the PSBB just like the beginning of the pandemic.

"So, in principle starting Monday, September 14, the business activities will not stop but work in the office will be eliminated, road business activities, office activities will continue, but office buildings are not allowed to operate," Anies said in a press conference, Wednesday, September 9.

Currently, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is preparing regulations for the preparation of the PSBB as it was at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, there are 11 essential areas that will continue to run, but their implementation will still be minimized.

"Not operating normally but reduced, operating permits will be re-evaluated, to ensure that control runs well business activities, social activities do not cause infection," he continued.

In addition, all entertainment venues and activities managed by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will be closed. This also applies to restaurants or cafes which are prone to potential transmission of COVID-19.