TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that people’s grocery shopping habits had been starting to return to normal when compared to the period of January 3 to February 6, 2020, before the social restriction due to COVID-19 was enforced.

“Since the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) is relaxed, we have seen that the trend of people’s mobility in shopping places for their daily needs is faster to back to normal than the mobility in other places,” said the agency head Suhariyanto during a virtual press conference in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 18.

Suhariyanto explained data processed by BPS from Google Analytics that activities in grocery stores throughout July 2020 were only 2.6 percent below that of during normal days.

Two days ahead of Eid al-Adha, the trend of people visiting shopping centers was similar to that of two-three days before the Eid al-Fitr. By means, people carried out their usual activities, preparing for the festive needs.

Meanwhile, people’s mobility in the retail trade and recreation areas was slowly returning to normal, except during the Eid al-Adha celebration when most people preferred to stay home.

“But there is progress since the PSBB was loosened. [The trend of people’s mobility] in retail trade and recreation sites saw better hike but still 17.7 percent below normal,” he reported.

“We can see that over the months, community activities are starting to move, and this will affect the economy in battling against COVID-19 so that the national economic recovery can be realized,” said Suhariyanto.

Read: Jakartans React to Possible Return of Stricter Social Restrictions

ANTARA