We, the Satpol PP, BPB (displaced persons coordination board) and Linmas (community protection agency), as well as the sub-district personnel, have taken action, including shutting down (the operating) amusement venues, such as massage parlor, karaok
Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA) - The COVID-19 task force in Surabaya, East Java, sealed at least 13 amusement centers over non-compliance to health protocols since the city government enforced restrictions on the people's activities (PPKM) since January 11, 2021.

Chief of the Surabaya City Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) Eddy Christijanto affirmed that the agency still found amusement venues, including karaoke lounges, massage parlors, and discotheques, operating during the PPKM period.

"Some public amusement venues are still open. We, the Satpol PP, BPB (displaced persons coordination board) and Linmas (community protection agency), as well as the sub-district personnel, have taken action, including shutting down (the operating) amusement venues, such as massage parlor, karaoke lounge, and pub," he revealed.

Christijanto noted that the city government had banned amusement venues from operating during the PPKM period in accordance with Mayor's Regulation Number 67 of 2020 on the application of health protocols to avert and cut the chain of COVID-19 transmission and its amendment to Regulation Number 2 of 2021.

During the PPKM period, Satpol PP has shut down six amusement venues, while Linmas closed seven amusement venues for violating health protocols, he confirmed.

The Satpol PP chief remarked that an individual may be fined Rp150 thousand, while a business place may face a fine of Rp500 thousand to Rp25 million for violating health protocols.

Related news: Central Java apportions Rp1 trillion to address impact of PPKM

The Indonesian government decided to extend restrictions on the movement of people in Java and Bali for another fortnight, from January 26 to February 8.

The government arrived at the decision during a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace on Thursday after evaluating the first phase of such restrictions that took effect on January 11 and will last until January 25.

"Based on the evaluation, President (Joko Widodo) ordered the extension of restriction on the movement of people (for another two weeks) from January 26 to February 8," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto noted during a virtual press conference here on Thursday.

To this end, the home affairs minister will issue an instruction to governors in Java and Bali that are expected to evaluate the restrictions on the basis of specified parameters to decide whether they are still required in their respective provinces, Hartarto expounded.

The government has imposed restrictions on the movement of people on January 11-25, especially in Java and Bali, to counter an exponential rise in the number of new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. Related news: PPKM to lower COVID-19 cases by 20 percent: Task Force

Translator: Abdul Hakim/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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