Luhut: Bars, Clubs in Bali, Bandung Violate Health Protocols

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The community activity restrictions (PPKM) coordinator for Java and Bali, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said that the government found several violations of health protocols in tourist destinations. Most of them were in restaurants and beach clubs in Bali as well as bars and night clubs in Bandung.

Luhut, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, said that the government dispatched teams to monitor the implementation of health protocols, especially in public areas. Last week, he said, the teams were sent to tourist destinations in Bali and Bandung.

The team found that most places are running health protocols well. However, violations were found as well.

"Beach clubs and bars are operating without capacity restrictions, no physical distancing, and no enforcement from the management to implement health protocols during activities," Luhut said in a press conference on Monday, November 8.

The places, he said, also did not mandate QR Code scanning for the Peduli Lindungi app.

Not just in Bali, Luhut said the team also found several bars and night clubs in Bandung operating beyond curfew, exceeding the maximum capacity limit, and disregarding the use of the Peduli Lindungi app.

"They also tried to trick officers, such as by turning off the headlights, have [visitors'] cars park in an area away from the venue, and prohibiting visitors from taking pictures," Luhut said.

Luhut asked local government to be more active in monitoring and giving strict penalties for these violations.

Read: Covid-19 Mortality Rate Declines, Luhut Says

DEWI NURITA