Jakarta Is Surrounded By Traffic Jams, The Deputy Governor Assesses That Conditions Are Back To Normal Even Though They Are Still PPKM Level 2

Ahmad Riza Patria/Photo: Antaranews

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria admitted that Jakarta had returned to traffic jams at various points. He said that currently the condition of community activities is like normal conditions.

Although, Jakarta is still implementing the Level 2 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) which will be implemented from 5 to 18 April 2022.

"So, since the traffic jams have started, we are now back to normal, even though Jakarta is still implementing PPKM Level 2 for the next 2 weeks," said Riza at the DKI Jakarta DPRD Building, Tuesday, April 5.

This normal condition, Riza admitted, was motivated by several factors, such as easing face-to-face learning (PTM) by 100 percent, public transportation by 100 percent, and easing operating hours for public places.

"Since 2 years of the pandemic, we have started to return to normal. So, easing, as has been conveyed by the central government, has been opened," said Riza.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Directorate of the Polda Metro Jaya noted an increase in the number of vehicles on the capital's roads. The reason is the work from home scheme which is no longer applied during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There is an increase of 10 to 18 percent," said Traffic Director of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Sambodo Purnomo Yogo to reporters.

The percentage increase in the number of vehicles is based on data from the past week. However, regardless of the data, the number of vehicles has increased significantly. Because traffic jams are starting to happen everywhere.

The increase in the number of vehicles that lead to congestion is due to two things. First, because of the increase in community activity. This is because the government has lowered the level of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).

Moreover, companies in Jakarta are no longer implementing the WFH scheme. So, people started to work as usual. "Community activities have increased and many offices are full. There is no longer WFH," said Sambodo.