"It is predicted the average rate of visits to shopping centers during this year's Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr can reach more than 100 percent compared to before the pandemic, or at least be at the same (level) as before the pandemic," APPBI General Chairperson Alphonzus Widjaja said when contacted on Sunday.
The increase in the visits to shopping centers during Ramadhan and Eid al-Fitr this year is likely to occur as the Indonesian government has revoked the public activity restrictions (PPKM) policy.
"This year is the first Ramadhan and Eid al-Fitr with no restrictions after they experienced restrictions in three consecutive years due to the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
Widjaja said that since the PPKM policy was lifted, shopping centers have started to hold several events and activities have increased the number of visits.
Apart from that, various shopping promotions have started to mushroom after they were previously prohibited due to the implementation of the PPKM policy.
The APPBI chairperson also said people would generally shop for non-food-and-beverage products during Ramadhan.
"As usual, during Ramadhan, in general, the community will shop for goods or products in the non-food-and-beverage category, and during the holiday or Eid al-Fitr, it will shift to food and beverages and entertainment categories," he noted.
President Joko Widodo, on December 30, 2022, announced an end to the PPKM policy that was enforced to control COVID-19 transmission in Indonesia.
The revocation of the PPKM policy translates to the fact that there will be no more restrictions on public activities and mobility, he remarked. Despite the policy's revocation, the president still appealed to the people to remain careful and vigilant.
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Translator: Lifia Mawaddah, Raka Adji
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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