The Second Time McDonald's In Jakarta Makes Cases Of Crowds During A Pandemic

Photo of McDonald Gambir Station was crowded by online taxi driver, the second photo was closed (Diah Ayu Wardani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Yesterday, a number of McDonald's fast food outlets received temporary closures due to crowds. This means that McDonald's has made it twice because it violated health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you review last year, there was a crowd of people in front of McDonald's Sarinah, MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta, last night. This was triggered by the enthusiasm of the people who wanted to buy food and at the same time saw the condition of the closure of the first McDonald's outlet in Indonesia on May 10, 2020.

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

McDonald's Sarinah has begun to be crowded with visitors after breaking the fast, around 19.00 WIB. On that day, McDonald's Sarinah served purchases until 22.00 WIB. The queue for buying food at McDonald's Sarinah snaked outwards.

Public interest on the last day before McDonald's Sarinah closed its outlets increased at around 21.00 WIB.

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

The parking lot in front of McDonald's Sarinah is getting more and more crowded. Many residents approached to see the closing process carried out by the management inside the building. Some of them capture the moment using their respective cell phones.

At 23.00 WIB, the ranks of the DKI Jakarta Satpol PP visited the McDonald's Sarinah area. From a car parked in front of the location, through loudspeakers, the Satpol PP officers asked the residents to disperse.

Shortly after, the management of McDonald's and the security officers of the Sarinah building dispersed the crowd. Residents returned to their respective homes.

Twice Happened

The crowd at the McDonald's outlet happened again yesterday. Hundreds of online motorcycle taxis swarmed McDonald's outlets. Because, McDonald's outlets open a special BTS Meal menu. This menu is a McDonald's collaboration with the South Korean boy band, BTS.

As a result, dozens of McDonald's outlets received temporary closures and written warnings from the authorities for violating health protocols by causing crowds.

This is because hundreds of online motorcycle taxis flocked to McDonald's outlets to order the special BTS Meal menu today. This menu is a McDonald's collaboration with the South Korean boy band, BTS.

A total of 20 outlets were closed and 12 outlets received a written warning. The details, in West Jakarta, 6 McDonald's outlets are closed 1x24 hours. In Central Jakarta, 6 outlets are closed 1x24 hours.

In South Jakarta, 9 outlets received a written warning. In East Jakarta, 4 outlets were closed 1x24 hours and 2 outlets received a written warning. In North Jakarta, 4 outlets were closed 1x24 hours and 1 outlet received a written warning.

"So, because there was an extraordinary crowd, the Satpol PP took action, sealed it with the TNI, Polri, and Task Force, and temporarily closed it for 1x24 hours," said Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria to reporters, Wednesday, June 9.

Riza said that his party was firm in giving sanctions for any violation of health protocols. "We don't hesitate to give sanctions to just anyone, including restaurants," he said.

Riza thinks that crowds at food establishments should be avoided. The management of the place of business should be able to anticipate activities that have the potential to cause the accumulation of customers.

"We ask that all restaurants, other business entities, launch any activities that have the potential to cause crowds, especially crowds to be anticipated, must have a good estimate of how many programs may be present, how to anticipate so that there are no crowds," explained Riza.

In addition, the Bandung City Satpol PP also sealed two McDonald's because they caused a crowd. The two sealed outlets are located on Jalan Buahbatu and at the Cibiru Roundabout.