Residents Of Surabaya Blocking Emotions, DPRD Asks To Close Waru Roundabout Access To Anticipate Social Impact

Blocking entry to Surabaya at the Waru Roundabout

SURABAYA - The leadership of Surabaya House of Representatives hopes that the government anticipates the social and economic impacts due to the closure of access to the City of Surabaya, East Java, in the Waru Roundabout area in front of the City of Tomorrow (CITO) mall.

"Handling the COVID-19 pandemic during this Emergency Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) period is not only how to prevent transmission, but also to anticipate social and economic impacts", said Deputy Chairperson of the Surabaya House of Representatives, AH Thony, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, July 7.

Thony understands the purpose of the government to close access to Surabaya so that people can reduce mobility during the Implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).

However, according to him, the mobility of residents is still crowded in and out of the city of Surabaya, it could also be because the socialization of COVID-19 prevention has not been effective in the community.

However, his party reminded that the policy also needs to be anticipated for its social impact, especially the emergence of resistance reactions from the community such as the case of the blockade on the Suramadu Bridge some time ago.

For that, said Thony, a strategy is needed on how the community can still fulfill their food distribution because during the Emergency PPKM it causes the closure of several business fields so that the fate of residents when they are not working must be considered by the government.

"This condition makes them look for other options to visit other cities to seek sustenance. So don't just focus on handling COVID-19", he said.

Thony agreed to close the closure to protect the people of Surabaya from the transmission of COVID-19, but the government must also deal with the socio-economic impacts for the people who are affected.

In addition, AH Thony also reminded us that the implementation of Emergency PPKM in Surabaya was carried out measurably. Likewise, the socialization of the 5M health protocol must continue to be carried out, along with taking action against violators. The 5M in question is washing hands, wearing masks, maintaining distance, staying away from crowds, and reducing mobility.

Meanwhile, the East Java Police Traffic Director, Kombes Latif Usman, previously explained that the closure of Surabaya entrances was aimed at reducing the mobility of residents who wanted to enter the City of Heroes.

"Waru roundabout is the main door for people to enter Surabaya. This place is the main access for vehicles and people", he said.

The decision to close the access was based on the results of the analysis and evaluation (Anev) within a few days of the blocking. In the Anev it was decided that there would be strict segregation of drivers who wanted to enter.

"The results of the evaluation have decreased on the first and second days, but until the 5th day, people have been sorted into Surabaya, it is still very crowded", said Kombes Latif Usman.