TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - South Jakarta Mayor Marullah Matali opined that COVID-19 transmission in several places was attributable to public discipline. People sometimes forgot to comply with the basic health protocols against the new coronavirus.

He admitted that the virus infections in the capital city are increasingly rising.

“This is indeed a quite critical condition,” said Marullah when contacted on Wednesday, August 12.

South Jakarta reported many positive cases during the transitional PSBB or large-scale social restriction. Among them was the office infection cluster in Equity Tower, Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD).

Several traders in Blok S Food Court or Pujasera, Kebayoran Baru, also tested positive for the virus after undergoing swab tests. Marullah confirmed that several city’s food courts were crowded by visitors.

“Especially in Jakarta, several food courts are crowded. But our officers are trying to assist the public so that they abide by the COVID-19 protocols,” Marullah added.

However, Marullah refused to assume where the traders of Blok S Food Court contracted the new coronavirus disease, concluding that virus transmission could occur in the food court areas or other places.

Read: Police Chiefs Neglecting COVID-19 Health Protocols Will be Fired: Police

LANI DIANA WIJAYA