Suherdjoko, Semarang – The Semarang city administration in Central Java has temporarily shut down the Kobong traditional market as 26 people tested positive for COVID-19 after rapid tests were carried out in the market.
Semarang COVID-19 Task Force spokesperson Fravarta Sadman said the market would be closed for six days starting Saturday.
"We will disinfect and sterilize the market. We hope the market will be free from contamination by the time we reopen it," he said.
He added that the task force would rearrange the layout of the stalls to comply with physical distancing measures.
Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo asked mayors and regents to forcibly close shopping centers including malls, supermarkets and traditional markets that did not apply strict COVID-19 precautions.
"We don't want any more clusters from shopping centers. So I hope regional heads would not hesitate to close any shopping center that does not adhere to the health protocol," Ganjar said.
According to the official government count as of Friday, there are 1,234 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Central Java, with 70 deaths. (aly)