Government Allows 12-Year-Old Children to Enter Mal

The government has made a number of easing of community activities. The government has begun to provide some leeway in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic. One of them is that the government has begun to allow children to enter malls, allow playgrounds to open, and relax the capacity of cinemas. In fact, the government has allowed children under the age of 12 to enter malls or shopping centers. The Coordinator for the Implementation of the Java-Bali Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said that children’s play areas in malls would be allowed to open on condition that the area entered PPKM level 1 and level 2.

“The capacity of level 1 and 2 cinemas is 70 percent and children are allowed to enter cinemas on levels 1 and 2,” said Luhut.
Even so, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has not provided an explanation of which areas are now at level 2 and can undergo easing the rules.

The reason for allowing children under 12 years of age to enter malls is because the change in PPKM status is the beginning of opening for sectors with large activities. According to him, this is a form of easing which of course continues to apply health protocols and remains cautious towards a productive but still safe society.

“Although children under the age of 12 have been allowed to enter, I urge that if they are not urgent, they should stay at home. Parents, as companions, remain careful, health protocols are implemented properly. In addition, the task force is requested to make enforcement efforts. well,” he said.

The following are the complete rules for opening malls and shopping centers during the PPKM period from October 19 to November 1, 2021:

• Level 1: Activities at malls and shopping centers are opened with a maximum capacity of 100 percent until 22.00 local time. Furthermore, children under the age of 12 are also allowed to enter the mall on condition that they are accompanied by their parents. Children’s playgrounds, entertainment venues in malls, and shopping centers are also opened on condition that parents must record their addresses and phone numbers for tracing needs and are required to use the Peduli Lindungi application for all visitors and employees.
• Level 2: Activities at malls and shopping centers are opened with a maximum capacity of 50 percent until 21.00 local time. Just like PPKM Level 1, children under 12 years old are also allowed to enter the mall on condition that they are accompanied by their parents. Children’s playgrounds, entertainment venues in malls, and shopping centers are also opened with the condition that parents must record their addresses and phone numbers for tracing needs and are required to use the Peduli Lindungi application.

(RAH/ARF)