Market Merchants Ask For The Strengthening Of Micro-Scale Community Activity Restrictions Not To Disturb Food Distribution

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JAKARTA - Chairman of the Insurance & Health Merchant Division of the Indonesian Market Merchants Association (IKAPPI) Mahin Aufa asked for the strengthening of micro-scale Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) not to disrupt food distribution.

"After all, the food issue is the dominant issue, a sensitive issue that is urgently needed, so we ask for food distribution not to be disturbed so as not to affect price fluctuations", Mahin said in a statement, Thursday, June 24.

In addition, Mahin asked the government not to close the market just to reduce the number of COVID-19 transmissions. Because he said, the market is the backbone of the regional economy.

"A market is a place for food distribution in the region, so that food is not disturbed. So the market must continue to operate but carry out health protocols properly", he said.

However, Mahin admitted that many market merchants were exposed to the coronavirus. Based on data as of Wednesday, June 23, there were 153 new cases of COVID-19 spread across 28 markets. Then, there are 19 cases of death.

"So the total number of positive cases of market merchants throughout Indonesia is 1.934, occurring in 321 markets, and approximately 89 cases of death", he said.

Therefore, Mahin asked the government to look for a formulation, in this case, the relevant Ministry, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Health, and other ministries, the right formulation so that the PPKM policy can suppress cases but not make it difficult for market merchants.

"We ask that this be immediately formulated and immediately implemented in each region. The IKAPPI asks local governments to strengthen health protocols for market traders", he explained.

Furthermore, Mahin also asked the Ministry of Health to accelerate vaccination in traditional markets. If there is a problem with vaccination data collection that becomes an obstacle, the IKAPPI admits that it will help collect data.

"We are ready to help the Ministry of Health to strengthen data on traditional markets or market merchants so that vaccinations run well, in accordance with the direction of the President to accelerate vaccination in traditional markets", he concluded.