Beware Of The Potential New COVID-19 Cluster From McDonald's Sarinah

McDonald's Sarinah ahead of permanent closure (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

JAKARTA - Last night, a crowd of residents appeared in front of McDonald's Sarinah, MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta. This was triggered by the enthusiasm of the public who wanted to buy food as well as seeing the conditions for the closure of the first McDonald's outlet in Indonesia on May 10.

In fact, currently DKI Jakarta is implementing the status of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 until May 22.

A private employee named Alfred (26 years) became one of the residents who also visited McDonald's Sarinah on the last day of the fast food restaurant's operation.

To VOI, Alfred said that McDonald's Sarinah had begun to be crowded after breaking the fast, around 19.00 WIB. On that day, McDonald's Sarinah serves purchases until 22.00 WIB.

The queue for food purchases at McDonald's Sarinah snaked its way outside. Buyers, said Alfred, are required to queue by implementing health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There are McDonald's officers who arrange the lines of customers who want to buy by applying physical distancing. Before entering, residents are also checked for body temperature and are required to wear masks," said Alfred, Monday, May 11.

McDonald's Sarinah ahead of permanent closure (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

Public interest on the last day before McDonald's Sarinah closed its store increased around 21.00 WIB. Some are still waiting in line, some are just looking at the situation. Until 21.45 WIB, McDonald's closed the queue and no more customers could buy food.

Furthermore, the management held a procession such as a closing ceremony, starting from remarks from the outlet manager, to closing the curtain as a symbol of the termination of McDonald's Sarinah operations.

The front parking lot of McDonald's Sarinah is getting busier. Many residents approached to see the closure process carried out by management in the building. Some of them capture the moment using their respective cellphones.

"From the outside, many residents recorded the closing process, including me. Right in front of McDonald's. Some residents lit candles, perhaps as a thank you for the memories that were written there," said Alfred.

During the crowd, Alfred did not see any restraint from the security apparatus guarding the center of the city. In fact, the distance between residents at several points is quite dense. The government's suggestion that residents maintain a minimum distance of one meter was ignored.

Approaching 23.00 WIB, the Jakarta Satpol PP came to the McDonald's Sarinah area. From the car parked in front of the location, through the loudspeaker, Satpol PP officers asked residents to disperse.

"Please, to the residents, it is still PSBB. There should be no crowds. The crowd in front of McDonald's should immediately be dispersed," said Alfred imitating Satpol PP's appeal.

Shortly after that, said Alfred, McDonald's management and Sarinah building security officers dispersed the crowd. The residents gradually returned to their respective homes.

CaptMcDonald's Sarinah ahead of the permanent closure (Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI) ion

The potential for a new cluster of COVID-19 transmission

In the regulations for implementing the PSBB in each area, residents are prohibited from gathering more than five people. Residents are also asked to stay at home during the COVID-19 outbreak.

On this basis, the epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, Pandu Riono stated that the crowd that occurred in front of McDonald's Sarinah last night had the potential to create a new cluster of COVID-19 transmission. This is because the community who came there no longer ignored the PSBB recommendation.

"This could be a new cluster in Jakarta, although the cluster is not too big and the crowd is not too long. McDonald's (management) should also limit activities during the PSBB so that this crowd does not occur," said Pandu when contacted by VOI.

Reflecting on the previous case, the crowd conditions proved to be contagious to the spread of COVID-19. For example, there were at least dozens of people who tested positive for COVID-19 as a result of gathering because they wanted to participate in the world Ulama Ijtima event which is planned to be held in Gowa, South Sulawesi, March 19. This event was actually not being held, but many residents have already come there.

Then, another cluster that was proven to spread the corona virus occurred during a religious seminar at the Indonesian Bethel Church in Bandung, West Java. Of the 637 church congregants who underwent a rapid test, 266 of them tested positive for COVID-19.