Gov’t considers mass COVID-19 test due to Citayam Fashion Week

Hence, the street needs to be closed because of the large crowds.

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Jakarta administration is considering to conduct a mass COVID-19 swab test due to crowds of teenagers performing the Citayam Fashion Week at a zebra crossing near the Dukuh Atas MRT Station in Central Jakarta.

Deputy Governor of Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria said here Sunday that he was worried that the crowds would contribute a surge in COVID-19 cases in the city as many of the youngsters did not wear masks.

“Indeed, there has been an increase (in cases) over the last two weeks. Due to the fact that many of them do not wear masks, this situation may expedite the (transmission) of COVID-19,” he remarked.

Furthermore, the Jakarta Provincial Government is also planning to relocate the venue for this Citayam Fashion Week.

The deputy governor noted that the creative activity made the pedestrians and vehicle riders difficult to cross the Tanjung Karang Street of Dukuh Atas area since the fashion show took place on the crosswalk around the Dukuh Atas Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Station.

“Hence, the street needs to be closed because of the large crowds,” he said.

In addition, the sidewalk and bicycle lanes had been converted into illegal parking area.

“Let’s find a better place for the fashion show. Do not do it in the middle of the road. It will disturb the public order,” Patria said.

Hence, the provincial government is considering to move the venue of the activity to the National Monument (Monas), Senayan, or Sarinah Mall.

Thus, he intended to ask for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir’s permission regarding the idea of holding the fashion event at Sarinah Mall.

Related news: President calls to encourage creative youth activities in Dukuh Atas

Earlier, he also appealed to the participants of the Citayam Fashion Week to prioritize their study since school activities had begun.

Thus, they should return home before 10:00 p.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB, UTC+7) and not carry out the activity every day.

The Citayam Fashion Week is organized spontaneously by the suburban youth from a number of regions in Jakarta Province (Sudirman area) and West Java Province (Citayam, Bojonggede, and Depok areas). The activity grew bigger as it drew public interest due to the unique fashion of the teenagers.

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