TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Metro Police banned Jakartans from having crowds after exercising. Jakarta Metro Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus clarified the police did not prohibit outdoor sport activities, but rather the ensuing public gatherings.

“Post-sport crowds or hanging out while exercising are prohibited, not the sports,” said Yusri at the Jakarta Metro Police HQ, South Jakarta, Monday, June 21.

Although not prohibited, Yusri appealed to the public to not exercise outdoors during weekends or holidays. This is because these activities could potentially attract crowds and increase the potential for coronavirus transmission that causes COVID-19.

“Exercising at the park is prone [to virus transmission]. We will also secure this. If people gather after exercising, we will disperse them,” Yusri underlined.

As widely reported, the number of COVID-19 cases in Jakarta is skyrocketing. Recently, the new daily cases reached 5,000.

This alarming condition has caused health facilities in the capital to be fully occupied and health workers overwhelmed. Thus, the COVID-19 Task Force is trying to curb virus transmission, one of them by limiting public mobility through the closures of 10 city streets starting from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m.

During the COVID-19 restrictions, the police will block the road access and not allow vehicles to pass, except certain vehicles. The ten roads are chosen due to the frequent violations of health protocols on them.

Read: COVID-19 Restrictions; Police Close 10 Jakarta Streets Starting Tonight

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH