TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Mataram city government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) planned to close all tourist attractions during Christmas and New Year holidays. That is in line with the national enforcement of level 3 public community restrictions (PPKM) to prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases at the end of the year.

“So, even though we are at PPKM Level 1, we must apply PPKM Level 3 rules to suppress public mobilization,” said Mataram Mayor Mohan Roliskana on Wednesday, November 24.

Referring to the Home Affairs Ministerial Instruction No. 62 of 2021, PPKM Level 3 will be in place for all Indonesia regions from December 24, 2021, until January 2, 2022. A number of restrictions related to community activities and public places will be executed.

Mohan said the city administration will make adjustments to the COVID-19 rules, including closing tourist attractions and entertainment venues. Christmas activities will also be under strict rules.

Fireworks and other celebratory events for the new year will be prohibited in order to suppress the euphoria. “Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope that there will be no excessive excitement to welcome the new year,” Mohan added.

The Mataram COVID-19 Task Force spokesperson I Nyoman Swandiasa said a number of road access will be blocked to limit public mobility, both entering and leaving the city. Besides following the central government’s policies, the efforts also aimed at maintaining 325 regional areas under COVID-19 green zone status.

Read: PPKM Rules in Shopping Malls during Christmas, New Year Holidays

ANTARA