TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The South Tangerang city administration has barred its residents from celebrating New Year’s Eve in a bid to avert crowds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“New Year’s Eve celebrations are banned in South Tangerang, suspended. This will be written down in the decree of the South Tangerang Mayor, which will also include the extension of PSBB (large-scale social restrictions),” the South Tangerang mayor-elect told Tempo on Friday, 18 December 2020.

He added the decree on the extended PSBB would be issued so each district would carry out PSBB according to the situation in its area.

“For South Tangerang, the decree will stipulate that PSBB would be valid for one month until January next year. Then each district will issue another decree from its district head on PSBB,” the South Tangerang mayor-elect said.

Benyamin said joint personnel from the military, the police, the city’s Public Order Agency and Transportation Agency will comb the city so as to prevent crowds.

“For example, fireworks are prohibited. We also call on civil servants to refrain from going out of town and residents to limit their outdoor activities,” he said.

South Tangerang Police Deputy Chief Comr. Stephanus Luckyto announced the police had ordered hotels, restaurants and shopping malls to not host any crowd-pulling event.

Read: Puncak Route Closed on New Year's Eve: Bogor Police

MUHAMMAD KURNIANTO