TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of entertainment venues and shopping malls in the South Jakarta area have temporarily closed from Monday, adhering to the local government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) protocol announced last week.

According to South Jakarta Mayor Marullah Matali said the decision was taken as the social distancing protocol was made effective.

Through this, venues required by the mayor to close its operations include Blok M and entertainment venues in the Melawai area such as movie theaters, night clubs, karaoke bars, fitness studios, massage parlors, and many more.

“This corresponds to the circular from the city’s tourism board on social distancing,” said the mayor.

Marullah reminds that this move needed to be enforced as a means to slow down the spread of coronavirus in the region with the largest number of positive cases. He also urged people to self-isolate at home unless urgent matters force otherwise.

He also said that the Jakarta governor has already announced that sanctions are in place for businesses violating the government’s call.

”It will later be more repressive, so once again we remind that the government does not intend to hamper people’s activities but is rather a means to ensure residents’ safety,” said the South Jakarta mayor referring to the COVID-19 protocol. ”Please, media, tell people that this decision is not to constrain people but is to save them.”

ANTARA