"The requirement for mall visitors to show proof of COVID-19 negative test result before entry must be reassessed as it will be inconvenient for visitors," he said in a press statement issued in Jakarta on Thursday.
Sitorus, who belongs to the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), stated that the regulation requiring vaccination proof before entry is sufficient to reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 infections.
The new requirement of a negative COVID-19 test proof would complicate activities within shopping malls, and would affect mall staff and tenants, suppliers, online motorcycle taxis, and other residents, he noted.
"This troublesome requirement will restrict economic activities and decrease public consumption. To enhance our economy, public consumption should be encouraged instead of being restricted. How strange our effort to enhance the economy is instead curbed like this," Sitorus stated.
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This PDI-P politician said he is "astonished" by the government decision, which only applies to shopping malls even though other places, such as traditional markets, have a higher risk of cluster infections.
"Perhaps the decision-maker fails to understand the economic pressure that the poor and market vendors face. COVID-19 swab test is not cheap and barely affordable. The regulation is clearly troublesome for residents and vendors," Sitorus remarked.
He urged the government and the health authorities to focus on health protocol enforcement and crowd control at places with significant infection risk, particularly traditional markets.
"What the government should encourage right now is health protocol implementation instead of more spending for tests during this time of economic hardship," Sitorus said.
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Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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