Residents Reduce the Duration of Outdoor Sports due to Jakarta Air Pollution

Residents of the capital city and its surroundings exercise in the 'Car Free Day' area every Sunday (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Residents of the capital city and surrounding areas still exercise in the "Car Free Day" area every Sunday when air pollution conditions in Jakarta are quite high, but they limit the duration of their time outdoors and wear masks to reduce exposure to pollution.

"I exercise (on Car Free Day) because it's normal, it's routine," said Luthfia, a resident from Tebet, South Jakarta when met by ANTARA in the Sudirman Car Free Day area, Sunday.

According to Luthfia, the current high quality of air pollution does not prevent him from continuing to do activities outside the home, especially sports and work. On a normal day, Luthfia is a worker who struggles daily with air pollution and traffic jams in Jakarta.

Therefore, he admitted that he was quite used to the current pollution conditions, although he admitted that recently Jakarta's air had become thicker due to pollution from vehicle fumes and other factors. To anticipate this, Luthfia reduces her outdoor exercise hours during holidays, and drinks enough water and wears a mask.

"It's reduced a bit, usually until 10 in the morning, now it's back at 8," said Luthfia.

Similar to Luthfia, Risma from Bekasi also took the time to exercise in the Sudirman Car Free Day area with her colleagues, even though since this morning (at 7:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time or WIB) the air in Jakarta has been observed to be at 111 or less healthy (according to IQAir). However, this did not dampen his intention to exercise.

“Every Sunday we always go for a walk in the morning. "I've been planning to come here for a long time, I really know the news about air pollution in Jakarta," said Risma.

Usually, she exercises in different areas. Not only Jakarta, Risma also often exercises around her house or in other areas around Jakarta. Therefore, she always wears a mask and wears sunglasses as personal protective equipment to reduce exposure to air pollution.

Risma also limits her exercise time so that it doesn't take too long, namely going home before 12 noon. Compared to air pollution, she is more worried about the COVID-19 virus which still exists today, so she also anticipates her own health from pollution and COVID-19 by taking vitamins.

"Since the pandemic, I have continued taking vitamins," said Risma.

Not only residents, sellers in the Car Free Day Sudirman area are also experiencing the negative impacts caused by air pollution in Jakarta currently. Even so, they still carry out trading activities around the area.

"There is a difference). Reduce turnover from usual," said Wahyudin, an egg roll seller from Parung Panjang.

According to Wahyudi, as long as air pollution in Jakarta is as high as it is now, the number of residents exercising in the area where they trade is less than in previous times. Luckily, he only sells in the Sudirman area on Sundays and on other days he travels to other places, so that he can get optimal daily turnover.

Similar to Wahyudi, a round tofu seller from Jakarta named Wasta admitted that his turnover had decreased when selling on Sundays due to the current high levels of air pollution. Even though Jakarta is busy with air pollution, he still carries out his trading activities in the Car Free Day area.

"Now it's reduced, quieter, because of that (air pollution)," said Wasta.

Since 07:00 a.m. WIB this morning, the Car Free Day area in Sudirman, Jakarta has been quite busy with residents of Jakarta and the surrounding areas for exercise or just taking a leisurely stroll. However, the number of people who come to exercise is not as large as several months ago when air pollution was not as bad as it is now.

Air pollution in Jakarta is currently at a high level, especially during weekdays (Monday - Friday). Therefore, make sure to wear a protective mask when needed and consume enough water and vitamins to keep your body healthy.