TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of shopping malls decided to temporarily close the operation as an attempt to prevent the coronavirus from further spreading in the country.

This also complied with the circular letter No. 160/SE/2020 on the temporary closure of the tourism industry as the precautionary effort against the COVID-19 spread.

However, not all shopping centers were closed including Pondok Indah Mall (PIM) that was determined to keep operating.

The property firm Metropolitan Kentjana Vice President said PIM would remain operational as usual. “But we let the tenants open or close their operation as in line with the government’s policy,” said Jeffri on Monday, March 24.

Jeffri explained there was a significant decline in the visits by around 70 percent, yet he stopped short of detailing the potential losses.

According to the Chairman of the Indonesian Shopping Center Management Association (APPBI), Stefanus Ridwan, only a few shopping malls decided not to fully operate, including Plaza Indonesia and the malls under Agung Podomoro Land and Summarecon Agung groups. "Supermarkets and pharmacies there are still running as well," he said.

Stefanus, who also serves as the CEO of property firm Pakuwon Jati, said that the shopping center owned by Pakuwon would not be closed yet in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. "The plan has been discussed, but I cannot give detailed information yet," he said.

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