Masks are now certain to be one of the requirements for you if you want to go to the traditional market in the City of Bengawan. No matter the trader or buyer. Not limited to accessories, mouth and nose coverings are indeed required by all traders and buyers, in order to break the chain of the spread of the corona virus (Covid-19). This policy was issued by the City Government of Surakarta and was more than just a rule, even the city government conducted a sweep in a number of markets, so that it was actually implemented. In Depok Market, for example, dozens of visitors found to be violating the regulation are required to leave the location. Their intention to buy ornamental birds or fish certainly failed, only because of leaving their mouths and noses not covered by masks. At that time, they were caught by officers not wearing masks when passing through market access on the east or south side. At both points, officers from the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and the Trade Office were on guard, while being “accompanied by” large banners. The banner reads “Razia Masks” and “No Masks Forbidden to Enter the Market”. “We must be more assertive, because the appeal to wear masks has long been socialized,” said Head of the Trade Office Heru Sunardi. The visitors of the stale, said Heru, were asked to go home to pick up masks or buy them at the sales location. “Yes something like insulation on the highway for vehicles. If this is the goal is the people”. Not only in Depok Market, masking raids are also held in several other traditional markets. Such as Jongke Market, Gede Market, Harjodaksino Market, and Tanggul Market. Heru admitted, there were no sanctions for violators of these rules other than being asked to leave the market. “But we will continue to conduct raids, so that all traders and visitors always wear masks in traditional markets during the implementation of the Corona Extraordinary Event (KLB),” said Heru. Unlike visitors, traders tend to be more orderly. “Most people who don’t wear masks are visitors. There are still many who do not heed the rules. Before raiding the market, we have also raided traders in the Tambak Segaran area, “explained Head of the Public Order and Public Satpol PP Section, Agus Sis Wuryanto.

The raid seemed to complete the distribution of masks that had been repeatedly carried out by the City Government in traditional markets. Since the beginning of the KLB, the traditional market has not been closed even though the location is the point of the crowd. The reason, the traditional market is one of the pillars of the people’s economy. Closing the operation of the place means shutting down the economy of the citizens. Therefore, the use of masks, the provision of hand washing facilities, as well as restrictions on the distance between visitors or traders become the anticipation of the spread of Covid-19 which is promoted by the City Government in traditional markets. The obligation to use masks for traders does not necessarily burden them. Besides distributing thousands of masks for free, the City Government is also willing to free daily levies and cleanliness contributions for all traders.

“Everything is released. Good for traders who sell at kiosks, stalls, and stalls. Including all street vendors (street vendors). The exemption from retribution is valid from May to August, “Heru emphasized.

The dispensation was given by the City Government because their business experienced a downturn, following the implementation of the KLB since mid-March. “So the city government asks traders to be fair too. We have given exemption from retribution and they were only asked to wear masks while selling, and to apply clean and healthy living behaviors (PHBS). If still not obeyed, of course there are sanctions, “said Heru. The sanction is in the form of giving a warning letter. “Even if necessary, it can lead to the revocation of the right of placement (SHP),” he said. (**)