Jakarta Governor to Further Regulate Traditional Markets

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan plans to further regulations on traditional markets, as the capital prepares to transition from Large Scale Social Distancing or PSBB to the New Normal phase.

The move, which will be enforced on 15 June, comes amid concerns that the markets are becoming Covid-19 or coronavirus clusters.

“[The Jakarta Provincial Administration] will carry out an odd-even scheme in traditional markets” Anies said, as quoted by Antara. “The policy, which will be enforced in Jakarta’s 153 markets, will see them open at 50 percent capacity.”

He admitted that opening the markets and other places of business at full capacity is not possible, as doing so will hinder the enforcement of PSBB measures and the movement of people.

Regulating the flow of people

Anies added that the measure’s implementation is similar to the eponymously named policy to regulate vehicles on Jakarta’s roads. “In odd days, market kiosks with odd numbers will be open. Likewise, even numbered kiosks will be open on even days” he said.

“We hope that the [odd-even scheme] will enable us to regulate the number of people going in and out [of traditional markets].”

Anies warned that traditional markets will be closed for three days if anybody tested positive for the coronavirus there.

PD Pasar Jaya Director Arief Nasrudin said that awareness about the regulation has already been carried out since 5 June. “[Under the odd-even policy,] vendors are required to wear masks and face shields” he noted.

Also read: Malls in Jakarta to Reopen on 15 June