DKI Reconsiders Its Cinema Opening Plan

Illustration (Photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Head of the Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Disparekraf) Cucu Ahmad Kurnia said that his party would reconsider licensing the opening of cinemas in Jakarta.

This is because the plan to reopen the cinema was opposed by the Chairperson of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19, Doni Monardo, during a meeting at the Indonesian Parliament some time ago.

"Today we will evaluate. Then, on July 17, we will decide whether the cinema will remain open or temporarily close first," said Cucu when confirmed, Thursday, July 16.

Previously, the DKI Disparekraf had issued Decree Number 140 of 2020. It contained guidelines for the opening of a number of business activities including cinemas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, Decree 140/2020 will be reviewed. The evaluation of the opening of the cinema will consider the development of COVID-19 cases in Jakarta, the number of cases per 100,000 population (incidence rate), as well as the ratio of positive cases to the total examinations performed (positivity rate).

"Later we will see the progress, in the Jakarta COVID-19 Task Force that will determine," he said.

Cucu then responded to the announcement of the Indonesian Cinema Management Association (GPBSI) which stated that cinemas throughout Indonesia would open on July 29. Cucu said, DKI had not issued the permit.

"It can be opened if you have permission from us, because you can see the development of COVID-19 in Jakarta as a whole," said Cucu.

"It could possibly be postponed (opening, red). That's an emergency break scenario. If the situation is not possible, it can be closed again later," he continued.

As is well known, the cinema management is ready to open its business premises by the end of this month. However, Doni Monardo, Chair of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19, emphasized that his party had not yet made recommendations for opening cinemas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Cinemas are included in the category of activities that have not received recommendation from the Task Force. So all activities in closed spaces, the potential for transmission to occur within an hour to 1.5 hours have not received a recommendation," Doni told reporters at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta, Monday, July 13.

Doni said that so far there has been no request for a permit from the local government to his party. He said that every sector opened up during a pandemic must be consulted with the Task Force. "Every activity must be consulted. That is a provision of the law," he said.

He regretted the plan to open theaters on July 29. Moreover, this plan has not yet been communicated to the Task Force. In fact, communication between cinema service providers and the Task Force is considered important.

This is because the Task Force has public health experts and epidemiologists who can provide advice to cinema managers. Moreover, Doni is not sure that people can obey health protocols when watching movies in theaters.

"Can you guarantee that when he sneezes he actually covers his mouth with a mask or handkerchief. If suddenly it is uncontrolled, then the aerosol will come out, one room could be exposed. So this is a very big risk," he said.