Gibran: Opening Of Schools And Campuses Pushes The Wheel Of Economy

Wali Kota Solo Gibran Rakabuming / Antara

SOLO - Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka stated that the opening of schools and campuses would be able to encourage the wheels of the economy which had stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If our schools open automatically the wheels of the economy will turn fast, especially at UNS," he said while reviewing face-to-face lectures at Sebelas Maret University (UNS) Surakarta, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, September 8.

He said that UNS itself will have an influence on the economic development, considering that the university has quite a lot of students, reaching more than 40,000 students.

"Because there are 40,000 students, of course, it is very influential on economic activities around the campus which have boarding houses, restaurants, photocopies, and laundry," he said.

Moreover, based on data from the Surakarta City COVID-19 Handling Task Force in the last few weeks, the development of COVID-19 cases continues to improve. In this regard, he asked for support from the community to get involved in controlling the rate of COVID-19 cases in the city of Solo.

"We ask for support from the residents of the City of Solo so that they can go down to level two or level one," he said.

Gibran also hopes that students' parents will not worry about the start of PTM at UNS. He specifically ensures that UNS students from the Soloraya area who meet the requirements to take part in PTM, leave and return in good health.

"Parents don't need to worry, come in healthy, go home healthy and those who haven't been vaccinated don't need to be afraid because this vaccine is for communal immunity," he said.

Gibran also appreciated UNS's step in responding quickly to the Surakarta City Government's request to start PTM.

"Yesterday, as soon as we have dropped to level three, we encourage them to open immediately, including UNS. Next week it will be opened immediately, this is extraordinary," he said.