Mass disinfection is being conducted simultaneously at traditional markets belonging to the city market operator PD Pasar Jaya since Thursday morningJakarta (ANTARA) - The Jakarta provincial government confirmed that 20 million free masks were distributed to its residents, so those found flouting the rule to wear face masks while venturing outdoors will be fined Rp250 thousand.
The provincial administration also cautioned its residents to temporarily keep children, pregnant women, and elderly away from events that draw a multitude of people during the transitional period toward a new normal that will come into effect since Friday.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan emphasized that people, with comorbidities, were also prohibited from partaking in events involving congregation of people since they fell in the vulnerable group amid the ongoing global pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
To this end, Jakarta’s residents falling sick are urged to stay at home, and all are required to abide by the healthcare protocols during the transitional period, he noted.
Despite the COVID-19 curve flattening in several of its administrative areas, the Jakarta provincial government continues to enforce large-scale social restriction and distancing measures until the end of June 2020.
However, the Jakarta provincial government has decided on a transitional period, starting from June 5, during which business activities can gradually resume under strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols.
Ahead of the transition period, Jakarta's firefighters sprayed disinfectant at 31 traditional markets in the capital city’s eastern parts to stem the transmission of COVID-19.
"Mass disinfection is being conducted simultaneously at traditional markets belonging to the city market operator PD Pasar Jaya since Thursday morning," Head of the East Jakarta Fire Brigade Division Gatot Sulaeman remarked.
The disinfectant was sprayed to help prevent traders and buyers in those traditional markets from contracting the deadly virus infection or transmitting it to others, he noted.
The firefighters sprayed the disinfectant fluid in traditional markets, including in Perumnas Klender, where 20 merchants had contracted the disease, Pondok Bambu, Sawah Barat, Duren Sawit, Kramat Jati, and Cipinang Kebembem.
The mass disinfection drive was also conducted in the traditional markets of Pulogadung, Bidadari, Kampung Ambon, Enjo, Ujung Menteng, Cakung, Pramuka, Matraman, Pal Meriam, Rawamangun, Sunan Giri, and Kayu Jati, he remarked.
The firefighters, in sound collaboration with the PD Pasar Jaya authority, conducted mass disinfection without hindering trading activities there, he remarked.
Jakarta has officially been declared a COVID-19-affected area in Indonesia following the central government's confirmation of the country's first cases on March 2 this year.
Coronavirus infections initially emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan at the end of 2019. Since then, COVID-19 has spread to over 202 countries and territories, including Indonesia, with a massive spurt in death toll.
To contain the spread of COVID-19, the Indonesian authorities have also enforced large-scale social restrictions and distancing measures in several other cities, including Pekanbaru, Bogor, Bekasi, Surabaya, and Makassar.
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Translator: Devi NSR, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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