Crowds In Markets And Malls Must Be Prevented: Don't Harvest Cases After Eid

Illustration (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Netty Prasetiyani, reminded the government to take measures to curb crowds, both in markets and shopping centers ahead of Lebaran to anticipate a spike in COVID-19 cases. Because, public awareness of the pandemic which is still minimal is very dangerous.

“The market and malls are crowded with people. Most of them ignore health protocols. The central and local governments must coordinate to monitor the implementation of health protocols in public places, "said Netty, Friday, May 7.

"Prepare enough officers to regulate, not to let the crowd be left alone. We don't want to harvest cases after Eid," he continued.

Netty assessed that the public's interest in shopping ahead of Eid this year is very large, as if giving up the desire because last year's Eid was still holding back. However, he said, this condition should not be allowed to prevent a situation like India's.

"One of the triggers for the spike in cases in India is because thousands of people swam in the Kumbh Mela festival and the condition is similar to the increasing number of visitors to markets and malls in the country," said Netty.

The West Java legislator also reminded the government of the potential for increased community tourism activities during the Eid holidays. The reason is, the government has also opened tourist attractions in line with the policy to prohibit going home.

"People are prohibited from going home and there is a big possibility that they will run to tourist spots that are opened by the government. Local governments have to do extra work to oversee the implementation of prokes. This must really be prepared if we don't want tourist clusters, "said Netty.

Because of this, the PKS politician encouraged the government to prepare a worst-case scenario after Eid. Given, currently 3 new variants of COVID-19 have been confirmed to enter Indonesia.

"The government must prepare a worst case scenario in anticipation," said Netty Prasetiyani.