The COVID-19 Task Force Supports Restrictions On Movement In Tanah Abang, But Anies Must Evaluate His Policies

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JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 Wiku Adisasmito supports the decision of DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to take steps to restrict community activities at Tanah Abang Market after a crowd incident.

"We should appreciate every effort to control COVID-19 made, especially by the local government as part of its authority", Wiku told VOI, Monday, May 3.

Wiku cannot yet see whether Anies' policies to unravel the crowd at Tanah Abang Market will be effective or not. He said, whether a policy is effective or not cannot be assessed if it has not been implemented.

"So after being implemented, this policy is expected to have a follow-up in the form of monitoring and evaluation of implementation in the field", said Wiku.

As is known, over the past few days, Tanah Abang Market, Central Jakarta has been crowded with visitors who want to buy new clothes ahead of Eid Al-Fitr. The crowd was inevitable, even outside the market building.

Finally, the Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan took steps so that the crowd in Tanah Abang would not repeat itself and one of them was by dividing the schedule for closing the market. There are markets that are closed at 16.00 p.m. and some at 17.00 p.m.

In addition, there is also a change in the schedule for the commuter line that crosses Tanah Abang station. Starting today, from 15.00 p.m. to 19.00 p.m. commuter line trains will not stop at Tanah Abang Station.

Commuter line passenger services from the direction of Rangkasbitung, Parungpanjang, or Serpong only reach Palmerah Station. The commuter line for Bogor, Depok, Nambo-Angke, or Jatinegara PP does not serve passengers at that time at Tanah Abang Station. Passengers are required to hop on and off from Karet, Duri, or Angke Station.

However, as an alternative for the community, the provincial government still provides TransJakarta buses that operate from Jalan Jati Baru to other stations.

Not only that but merchants also have to sell in the market building. Anies said, buying and selling activities should not be carried out on the sidewalks around the Tanah Abang Market because this creates a risk of crowds.