Not Only A Health Protocol, The Task Force Must Approve Night Entertainment Venues

Illustration (Photo: Long Truong on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Head of the Tourism Industry Division of the Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Disparekraf) Bambang Ismadi admitted that his party had indeed drawn up a protocol for the opening of night entertainment venues.

However, he said, it does not mean that entertainment businesses such as diksotek, karaoke places, bars, spas and massage parlors can be operated after the protocol is made. This protocol still has to be approved by the DKI COVID-19 Handling Acceleration Task Force.

"Discussing protocol is the domain of Disparekraf. We have discussed it. However, protocol cannot just be done without approval from the DKI Task Force team," Bambang told VOI, Thursday, July 23.

In handling COVID-19, the DKI Task Force team contains a number of agencies and institutions. Among them are the DKI Pemprov, Polda Metro Jaya, the TNI, the Commander of the Indonesian Regional Fleet Command (Pangarmabar), the High Court and the High Court.

In addition, in deciding licensing protocols in an activity and place of business, the DKI Task Force will listen to the opinions and results of epidemiological studies from academics at the Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia (FKM UI).

"Later, entertainment business friends will be directed to meet with the Task Force team. There are epidemiologists there. If they allow, then we will make an opening decree, and please open it," said Bambang.

The problem is, the operational protocol for night entertainment venues is not as easy as the protocol for other business establishments such as restaurants and shopping centers. This entertainment place situation has a high concentration level of corona virus transmission because it is in a closed space and has minimal air circulation.

Because, at this time the corona virus has been confirmed to be transmitted through the air via microdroplets. Microdroplets are very small droplets of particles. Activities in closed spaces have a high risk of transmitting COVID-19.

"You know, yesterday the cinema was about to open but it didn't work. Why? Because according to the Task Force team, cinemas with large rooms are risky, especially as karaoke places with smaller rooms," he said.

"That is why, yesterday the Task Force team said that the cinema and karaoke were in the same condition, were in a closed room and the circulation was not good. So opening the cinema was not recommended and eventually closed again," he added.

Previously, DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said that his party was preparing a health protocol for night entertainment 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 some time ago.