Providing a sign of cautious optimism in the battle against COVID-19, Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan announced on Sunday that Jakarta is once again moving to PSBB transition. Starting today until 25th October, the city will be loosening several social restriction measures that have been in place since September this year.
The announcement also marks a cause of celebration for cinephiles as movie theaters are allowed to reopen for the first time since March 2020.
CGV Bandung Electronic Mall during its first day of reopening on Friday
Image credit: Zona Priangan
While in many ways similar to the PSBB transition period Jakartans had in the months of June through August, there are several changes in the current PSBB transition period. The most notable is that movie theaters are finally allowed to open for the first time in 7 months.
The number of visitors is capped at 25 percent capacity with a distance of 1.5m between each seat. None of the cinemas are open yet as of writing but with movie theater chain CGV already back in action in Bandung since last week, we expect Jakartan movie halls to follow suit.
Other indoor public activities such as art performances, museums, and weddings are good to go as well, with a similar 25 percent cap and social distancing measures in place.
Virtual personal trainer program at Celebrity Fitness Indonesia during PSBB
Image credit: @meilanigand
Aside from the aforementioned activities, gyms, fitness centers, and indoor sports halls are allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity with no spectators allowed at sports events. Dine-in at restaurants is also literally back on the table with a 50 percent maximum capacity and strict health protocols in effect.
In a bid to make contact tracing easier in the event of a cluster, the government is also making ‘guest books’ mandatory for businesses. Workers and visitors are required to log their presence with their names, phone numbers, identity numbers, and time of visit being recorded.
Not every sector has given the green light though. Given the difficulties in enforcing health protocols in classrooms, educational institutions still have to rely on online classes for the time being. Jakarta’s nightlife is also still on pause with bars and karaoke clubs being designated as high-risk spots, and are therefore not allowed to open.
After being forced to make do with online streaming websites and drive-in cinemas, the reopening of movie theaters does sound like music to our ears. With the number of daily new cases still hovering around 4,000, however, we still have to stay extra vigilant when it comes to observing health protocols.
Wear your mask at all times, always keep a bottle of hand sanitizer close by, and don’t spend time outside of your bubble any more than necessary. Do all of the above and we might just have more to celebrate in December than just New Year’s Eve.
For tips on what to do at home, check out these stories:
Cover image adapted from @artown02 and Pikiran Rakyat
Enjoying The Smart Local Indonesia? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more stories like this. If you have a story to share, email us at pressid@thesmartlocal.com.
These family-friendly itineraries in Singapore will bring your kids and loved ones to educational sites,…
Tourists are now allowed back into Bali on regular visas on arrival, as Indonesia's tourism…
Good news - the new Singapore VTL for Indonesians has been announced by the city-state.…
Keraton Kasepuhan is one of Cirebon's oldest palaces and it has stunning architecture and an…
Hey Beach Cafe is the cafe for your next Instagram post with coastal-themed decorations inspired…
Check out Dusun Bambu in Bandung, a Sundanese-style resort which offers scenic nature views and…