Police in Denpasar put an end to a motorcycle convoy featuring kids who would have been at school had it not been for the suspension of face-to-face learning on the island.
Denpasar Police Chief Bambang Yugo Pamungkas said that some 100 students on motorcycles rode together from Tohpati to the Ngurah Rai Bypass yesterday afternoon, disrupting traffic and public order.
“Our team was deployed to set up roadblocks at various points, and we managed to round up some of the children and their motorcycles,” he said.
In all, police rounded up 18 riders — some of whom are under the legal driving age — and 12 motorcycles. Their parents have been notified, but they are unlikely to receive criminal sanctions.
“To anyone, we say don’t try to disrupt order. I stand here with the help of the authorities ready to act sternly against those who disrupt public order in Denpasar, so that Bali becomes the world’s center of view,” Bambang added.
Indonesia allowed full face-to-face learning at the start of the year in regions with satisfactory COVID-19 handling, including Bali. However, earlier this month, the Education Agency in Bali opted to return to full online learning after dozens of students tested positive for COVID-19 at Bali schools.
The central government yesterday extended the implementation of Level 3 of the 4-tiered Enforcement of Restrictions on Public Activities (PPKM) protocol in Bali until at least Feb. 21. Under current Level 3 PPKM rules, schools are recommended to conduct a hybrid learning system in which face-to-face learning accounts for a maximum of 50 percent capacity.
Also Read
