Once Slaughtered, CFD In Sudirman-Thamrin Was Closed Again

Car Free Day on Sunday, June 21 (Photo: Diah Ayu Wardani / VOI)

JAKARTA - The DKI Provincial Government has decided to cancel the Motor Vehicle Free Day (HBKB) or Car Free Day (CFD) activities along Jalan Jenderal Sudirman-MH Thamrin.

This decision was made based on the results of a study held on Sunday, June 21. Where the implementation of CFD last week was very widespread and many did not implement health protocols.

"It's true, the HBKB in Sudirman-Thamrin will be eliminated," Head of the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, confirmed, Wednesday, June 24.

Syafrin admitted that he did not know how long these sports activities would be reopened. What is clear, he said, is that the HBKB will not be held on Sunday, June 28.

It is known that the DKI Provincial Government is holding another CFD activity. This activity was stopped during the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) period because of the potential for transmission of the corona virus.

With the re-opening of the CFD activity, on Sunday, June 21, the public seemed not to want to be left behind to participate. Along Jalan Jenderal Sudirman and Jalan MH Thamrin, which were usually quiet when at the beginning of the spread of COVID-19, they have now become crowded.

The most visible cyclists in this activity. However, that does not mean that there are only a few people who run or walk casually. So, officials from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government are on alert to appeal for the implementation of health protocols because everyone has not obeyed them.

In fact, there were visitors who turned out to be reactive to COVID-19. This is known from the free rapid tests conducted by the National Police. Of the 600 visitors to the Sudirman-MH Thamrin CFD area, 5 were reactive to COVID-19.

This then drew criticism. Jakarta DPRD Chairman Prasetio Edi Marsudi asked the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to evaluate the Sudirman-Thamrin CFD activities in terms of health and economic impacts. The reason is, there are a number of people who take off their masks when exercising in the CFD area. Moreover, there is no economic impact yet because traders are not allowed to sell.

"We ask to be reviewed. The mechanism is in the hands of the local government, because they made the permit. We, as partners of the regional government, are asking for this to be reviewed. If it is not feasible, do not disclose it," said Prasetio.

Jakarta is not yet safe from COVID-19

DKI Governor Anies Baswedan has reopened CFD activities because currently Jakarta has entered the PSBB or PSBB transitional easing period, with the reproduction rate (Rt) of the corona virus in Jakarta already at 0.99.

This means that one person infected with COVID-19 can infect nearly 1 other person. Unlike the household in March, which was at number 4.

However, according to Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, Epidemiologist from the University of Indonesia, the number of households in Jakarta has not been declared safe, it's just that it has decreased. Moreover, the number of new cases in Jakarta in one week can reach 700 cases. If later the CFD area becomes the new cluster for the spread of COVID-19, then the case curve could soar.

"Until now, we are still conducting a study on the safe limits of the Covid-19 case in DKI. Because the Rt 1 figure is declared safe, basically there is a bird flu outbreak," said Miko.

"Meanwhile, the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from person to person is more massive than bird flu or influenza, especially now that there is a classification of OTG (people without symptoms). So, it is not comparable," he continued.