For better or worse, we in Indonesia have had a couple of child-free weeks at the cinema, but now the kids are allowed back after the government relaxed Enforcement of Restrictions on Public Activities (PPKM) once again.
The government yesterday extended the four-tiered PPKM protocol by two weeks from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1, with protocol updates related to children’s activities in public being the most notable aspect of the new rules.
Starting today, in cities and regencies under Level 2 PPKM or below, children under the age of 12 are allowed back in cinemas with parental supervision. Movie theaters can also now open to 70 percent capacity, up from 50 percent previously.
One might expect children to flock to the cinema to watch the hotly-anticipated Indonesian animated flick Nussa, which was released just last week.
Furthermore, indoor playgrounds at shopping malls are also allowed to open now. All activities in cinemas and malls are still subject to digital screening using the government’s PeduliLindungi app and standard health precautions.
The above relaxed rules apply in Jakarta, which has, as of today, been downgraded to Level 2 PPKM from Level 3 in light of decreasing COVID-19 numbers.
All of Jakarta’s satellite regions have also been downgraded to Level 2, except for Bogor regency and Tangerang regency due to their relatively low vaccination rates.
