The trial opening of shopping centers and malls has been scheduled from August 10 to August 16, 2021.
“It is possible not to apply the requirements for vaccination and antigen in local markets. This is because a local market is a place to sell basic necessities that people need in their daily lives," Director General of Domestic Trade at the Ministry of Trade Oke Nurwan said on Thursday.
The situation at local markets is different from shopping centers and malls as most local markets operate out of open spaces with a natural air circulation system, he noted. The risk of virus transmission is relatively lower in open spaces than shopping center areas, which are closed and have air-conditioning, he added.
However, all visitors and sellers at local markets must implement health protocols, such as wearing masks, washing hands in running water, or using hand sanitizers, Nurwan said.
"This aims to prevent virus transmission and maintain the health of visitors and sellers. The key is implementing health protocols in a disciplined manner,” he added.
Public facilities without outdoor space and which use air conditioning (AC) must apply special requirements, he said.
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Based on Jakarta Governor's Regulation Number 966 of 2021 regarding the Enforcement of Restrictions on Community Activities Level 4, several indoor public facilities which use air conditioning now require visitors to provide proof of vaccination.
Nurwan said he expected all stakeholders involved in shopping centers and local markets to continue to implement the regulation with a high level of awareness.
"With the implementation of the regulation, we hope that the transmission of COVID-19 can be prevented, our economy can bounce back, and the basic needs of the community can still be met," he remarked.
The Ministry of Trade would evaluate the implementation of this trial, Nurwan informed.
"The evaluation results from this trial will later become the basis for taking further policies," he said.
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Translator: Sella G, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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