Demonstrated, Anies Arranged Protocol For Reopening Night Entertainment Venues

DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (Photo: Diah Ayu Wardhani / VOI)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said that his party was drafting a protocol for opening night entertainment venues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because, there was pressure from the night entertainment workers who held a demonstration in front of the DKI City Hall yesterday.

"Now there are talks about protocols (opening night entertainment venues, red) and others," said Anies when met at the DPRD DKI Building, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, July 22.

Even so, Anies does not want to discuss the general picture and when the entertainment venues such as discotheques, bars, karaoke places and massage parlors will be opened.

"Later, when it's ripe. When it's finished, everything will be announced," he said.

Yesterday, a number of night entertainment workers protested against Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan through demonstrations. They demanded Anies to reopen the nightclub which was the source of his livelihood.

The demonstration was organized by the Jakarta Entertainment Entrepreneurs Association (Asphija). General Chairperson of Aspija Hana Suryani demanded Anies Baswedan to reopen nightclubs which have been closed due to COVID-19.

Hana assessed that the government has never provided a clear solution. Even though employers and entertainment employees claim to be ready to carry out health protocols if they are allowed to operate again.

He said, as a result of the closure of night entertainment, tens of thousands of employees became unemployed. In fact, there are workers who are unable to pay the rent for the house contract, so they are expelled from the rent.

"We came here because our business premises have been closed for 4 months. The government doesn't care about us. In fact, we are ready to implement the Covid 19 health protocol, and we will comply," said Hana.

Despite urging the reopening of night entertainment venues, Hana admitted that she had not prepared a COVID-19 prevention protocol that would be implemented when nightclubs reopen. He submitted the preparation of this guide to the DKI Provincial Government.