Good News For Jakartans, Ragunan Zoo Is Reopening This Saturday, But ...

Illustration-Officers spraying disinfectant at Ragunan Park (Photo: Capture Instagram @ragunanzoo)

JAKARTA - Ragunan Zoo will reopen starting Saturday, March 13 for people who want to go there. This follows the decision of the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan who extended the micro-scale community activity restrictions (PPKM) until March 22.

"Ragunan has reopened services to the public starting tomorrow. So what distinguishes it when the Large-scale Social Distancing (PSBB) was implemented some time ago, we were closed starting on December 30, 2020, on the advice of the leadership", said Head of the Executive Unit for Promotion of Ragunan Zoo, Ketut Widarsana, to reporters, Friday, 12 March.

Ketut said, the visitor capacity of Ragunan was limited to 50 percent of the normal capacity, which is 5.000 people. This number is increased from the capacity during the PSBB implementation which was limited to 2.000 people.

"Even though we open with a capacity of 5 thousand people, it is in our opinion the size is normal. If we take look at it, the highest number ever was 160 thousand during Eid Al-Fitr. On Sundays, there are usually 50 thousand visitors", he said.

Ketut continued, Ragunan's operating hours are also limited, from 07.00 a.m. to 14.30 p.m. local time. Currently, the residents outside DKI are also allowed to visit.

Then, all recreational rides have also been opened. Previously, the playground to the primate center was not yet operational for the public.

Visitors are asked to register online before arriving at Ragunan via the link bit.ly/PesantiketTMR. "The tickets are still online. Health protocols are also strictly enforced", he said.

It is known that in the Decree of the Governor of DKI Number 213 of 2021 concerning Extension of Micro-scale PPKM, activities in public areas where public facilities are allowed to operate.

"Operating at 50 percent capacity, except for activities that can cause crowds (will) be stopped", wrote Anies in his Governor's Decree.

When he was asked about concerns about the surge in people going on vacation to recreational areas that are currently permitted, DKI Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria said there would be their own provisions. Through health protocol rules, it is believed that COVID19 cases will not increase.

"It will be limited to 50 percent. A circular letter will be arranged from the (Tourism and Creative Economy) office", said Riza.