Jakarta to Close Tourist Attractions to End of the Eid al-Fitr Break

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Jakarta Provincial Administration has decided to close iconic tourist sights like the Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park [TMII], Ragunan Zoo, and the Ancol Amusement Park, after visitor numbers surged during the Eid al-Fitr or Idul Fitri holidays.

Jakarta’s Tourism and Creative Economy Services interim head Gumilar Ekalaya ordered the three tourist venues to close their doors until the end of the Idul Fitri break.

“We have ordered [TMII, Ragunan Zoo, and Ancol Amusement Park] to temporarily close from Sunday, May 16 to Monday, May 17, to enforce health protocols,” he said in the order, which has gone into immediate effect on Saturday.

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“These tourist venues will reopen on May 18. We have taken this decision, after we noted a surge in visitor numbers during the two days of Idul Fitri on May 13 to May 14.” The management of TMII and Ancol Amusement Park pledged to comply with the order.

Authorities in Jakarta have come under fire from the House of Representatives or DPR for the surge. Deputy DPR Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar set his sights on the Ancol Amusement Park.

“How can people bathe in beaches and be able to observe health protocols? They cannot wear masks or social distance properly,” said the National Awakening Party [PKB] chief. “The photos showing crowds in Ancol on Friday is proof about the difficulties of enforcing these laws.”

KOMPAS.com/ IRA GITA Visitors enjoy a day out in Ancol during the first day of Idul Fitri, Thursday (13/5/2021)

Muhaimin also reminded Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan to impartially enforce the law.

“I urge the Jakarta provincial administration not to apply any double standards in their policymaking. Why do [the Jakarta authorities] ban paying annual respects to deceased loved ones during Eid al-Fitr during Eid, but allow tourist sights like Ancol to open?” he wondered.

“Ancol’s closing this Saturday was too late, as the place and other tourist destinations should have been closed to begin with to prevent transmission of Covid-19. The public’s safety is priority, as we do not want [the Covid-19 surge] in India to happen here in Indonesia.”