10 Positive COVID-19 Market Traders Died In The Last Week

Illustrated (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Market Traders Association (IKAPPI) recorded that 10 market traders died in a positive state of COVID-19 during the past week.

Head of Information and Communication Division of the DPP IKAPPI, Reynaldi, said that the death of this trader has increased quite significantly in the last week. That way, the total number of positive COVID-19 traders who died has reached 65 people to date.

"The IKAPPI data shows the increasing number of market traders who have been exposed to the corona virus, especially in the last few months. There are cases of increase and high death rates," Reynaldi told reporters, Monday, November 9.

Meanwhile, to date there are around 1,568 market traders exposed to the corona virus. These cases were found in 28 provinces, 109 districts / cities, and occurred in 275 markets.

Reynaldi said, the presence of traders exposed to the corona virus made the market temporarily closed. The case of traders exposed to COVID-19 has temporarily closed the market.

"There have been more than 200 markets that have been closed and are currently in the process of being closed due to COVID-19. The last market closures occurred in Pasar Melati, Medan and Pasar Gisting Tanggamus, Lampung," he said.

Therefore, Reynaldi asked the local government to strengthen the swab test or rapid test in markets throughout Indonesia. Then, local governments need to increase the implementation of health protocols in traditional markets.

In addition, Reynaldi also asked central and local governments to provide stimulus to traders in keeping traditional markets alive.

Because, currently there is a decrease in the turnover of traders around 55 to 70 percent throughout Indonesia. Moreover, currently Indonesia has experienced an economic recession.

"The market must continue to run as a support for the regional economy and the people's food distribution center. Especially in the current recession, and the impact of lalina will be difficult for traders to face," said Reynaldi.

"So we ask the government to make traditional markets the center of the foundation for the local economy or regional economies so that we can keep the market and economy growing," he added.