 |
| National Monument or Monas, one of Jakarta's landmarks, which looks deserted. |
Hi, everyone.
Hope you all are okay!
I believe you are staying at home to ensure you are safe and healthy during this hard time.
COVID - 19 is still out there and addressing pandemic is not that easy at all.
We are forced to change the way we live and not all the changes are easily managed.
But we have to stay optimistic and positive.. that we can fight the virus back.
Indonesia is no exception.
We have seen the soaring numbers of confirmed cases lately as we have more tests being conducted. It is better to know those who have been exposed to people suffering from the infection and treat patients under investigation with the full protocol. But of course, stronger discipline is the key.
We have many new policies being in place in order to ensure that the spread of Corona virus is not getting worse and worse. Stay at home, work from home and study from home are all effective now. All my diplomatic training sessions, including all the tests are conducted online and still packed with sessions and papers or assignments.
It was quite a big adjustment for almost everyone but that's the best we can do at this point.
In Jakarta, PSBB or Pembatasan Social Berskala Besar, literally translated as Large Scale Social Restrictions, has been implemented since Friday, April 10, 2020.
Although it was a long weekend, as Easter starts to be celebrated, the streets was mostly empty and quiet. Only limited business sectors (14 sectors if I'm not mistaken) are allowed to open during this two - week curfew, including food and beverages (only takeaways, no dine in), groceries, hospital and pharmacies, gas station, and important services. Strict implementation of physical distancing, even in the car, is strictly imposed as well.
 |
| The parking lot...which is never empty before.. |
I still have to go to my clinic and hospital for my monthly check up and get my medicine.
We have similar appointment method but we also have to follow a strict procedure at the hospitals, particularly as they become the centers of treatment for COVID - 19 patients.
I guess with social distancing, they significantly reduce the number of appointments in a day as it make the hospital less crowded as well.
 |
| I am on my way to my doctor. |
Mask has to be worn and social distancing is strictly practiced, including in the waiting lounge and at the elevator.
Hand sanitizers are provided but you are encouraged to wash your hands properly with soap and running water and bring your own hand sanitizers in case of low supplies at the health clinic or hospital.
Chairs are clearly marked to give enough distance among the patients and less direct contact is made while processing documents or medicine.
 |
| At the elevator...keep your distance. |
And I go out to get groceries once in a week or two, depending on our supplies.
Once we went out to go to the hospital and get my medicine and we passed Gambir train station as well as my office and the surrounding areas.
It was almost deserted.
 |
| The gates at Gambir Train Station are locked |
I have never seen Jakarta, the capital city, like this before.
The streets are almost empty.
Of course we still have a few people on the streets, many of them are the officers, but still it is eerily empty.
We passed the streets which were always be the worst traffic spots during regular time, like Pramuka, Pemuda, Cikini, Gambir Station, Pejambon, Medan Merdeka, and the surrounding areas.
Aku sebelumnya ngga pernah lihat Jakarta sesepi ini.
Bahkan saat lebaran, di mana jutaan penghuni Jakarta mudik ke kampungnya masing - masing pun tidak pernah sesepi ini.
Paling tidak, jalanan masih dipadati orang - orang yang memang sengaja menikmati kelengangan ibukota.
Tapi kali ini terasa sangat lain.
Sepi yang mencekam.
Tanpa bermaksud lebay, aku malah agak sedih melihat Jakarta yang sunyi senyap seperti ini karena terbayang banyak mereka yang dirugikan dengan kondisi sekarang.
 |
| Tugu Pembebasan Irian Barat in Lapangan Banteng..so empty! |
But I have to admit I love to see the clear blue sky!
With less traffic, the sky is returning to its prime state and it will certainly benefit everyone.
I sincerely with we will be able to keep this beautiful sky even after the pandemic.
Can we do that? I honestly don't know.
Yang pasti aku sangat menikmati langit biru, udara yang relative lebih bersih dan juga jalanan tanpa macet. Nyaman sekali memang, walaupun sekarang ada ancaman virus yang tak terlihat mata. Semoga sesudah pandemik ini berlalu kita bisa tetap menjaga keindahan dan kesegaran alam Indonesia.
 |
| In front of my office, Jl. Taman Pejambon |
 |
| Rawamangun Bus Terminal. Also empty.. |
So sad to see how horrible the impact of Corona virus to many of us.
Especially to those who are depending their lives on daily basis.
I mean, Jakarta is no longer suffering from crazy traffic which is good of course, but it also means that people are having issues staying at home without any assuring income for their family.
I am glad the government is working extra hard to make things better.
Although of course it might not please everybody but at least helps and assistances are provided to those in need. I really hope those programs will work.
I also sincerely hope the pandemic will end soon and we all can enjoy our healthy and social lives again. Let's fight it together!
Stay safe and healthy everyone, wherever you are!
Feature Chosen by Indah Nuria // My Purple World
