MSMEs and Vendors Mobilized in Greater Surabaya Communal Kitchens

Micro, small and medium Enterprises as well as sidewalk vendors are involved in the supply of breaking-of-the-fast and predawn meals for people impacted by Covid-19 during of the large-scale social restrictions

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

Female police officers prepare packages of food aid at a makeshift kitchen on Wednesday (29/4/2020) in Sidoarjo, East Java. The public service was part of the city’s efforts to enforce the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB).

SIDOARJO, KOMPAS — Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as sidewalk vendors (PKL) are involved in the supply of breaking-of-the-fast and predawn meals for people impacted by Covid-19 during the imposition of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB). This is meant to increase the capacity of communal kitchens and at the same time empower small businesses amid the pandemic.

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said since the enforcement of PSBB on Tuesday evening (28/4/2020), the provincial government had made available ready-to-eat meals to people suffering from the impact of Covid-19. The food is prepared by communal kitchens set up in Surabaya, Sidoarjo and Gresik.

Public demand is quite high so that their expansion is necessary by inviting MSMEs and street vendors in the vicinities of kitchen zones

The Sidoarjo PSBB kitchen is located in the Sidoarjo Precinct Police and the Gresik kitchen in the Gresik Military District Command. The communal kitchen in Surabaya are scattered over five spots, including the Brawijaya Regional Military Command, the Navy Main Base, the Marines Base and the Surabaya City Police.

“The communal kitchens have been operating very well. However, public demand is quite high so that their expansion is necessary by inviting MSMEs and street vendors in the vicinities of kitchen zones,” said Khofifah when inspecting the Sidoarjo PSBB communal kitchen on Wednesday (6/5/2020).

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Each of the MSMEs and vendors are given the opportunity to prepare 100 portions of ready-to-eat meals daily, consisting of 50 helpings for breaking-of-the-fast meals and 50 portions of predawn meals. Each communal kitchen is expected to be capable of empowering 20 MSMEs or vendors. The policy is adopted to enable MSMEs and vendors to continue their businesses amid the pandemic.

Takjil markets

Kompas/Raditya Helabumi

People buy takjil (breaking-of-the-fast snacks) on 27 May 2018 in Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta. The Surabaya administration has imposed strict rules for vendors selling takjil.

Still in the effort to empower MSMEs and vendors, the first female governor in East Java stated that her government began to allow the opening of takjil (breaking-of-the fast snacks) markets or instant markets normally found during the Ramadan fasting month. But these markets are required to observe health protocols by following several rules such as physical distancing.

For physical distancing, the number of traders selling munchies in the markets is to be limited. But in order to ensure that the limitation remains fair to traders, it has an arrangement mechanism. For instance, traders are allowed to sell by taking turns. This is done by dividing them into two groups, the one with odd numbers and the other with even numbers.

On the other hand, residents visiting the markets are expected to abide by Covid-19 health protocols. They must comply with the rules already applied such as wearing face masks, maintaining physical distance and practicing personal hygiene and cleanliness by frequently washing hands with soap.

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“The East Java provincial government has made coordination with local administrations in the context of takjil or instant market reopening in the course of Ramadan. But the public should behave with discipline and obedience as it becomes the key to preventing virus transmission,” said Khofifah.

Meanwhile, the implementation of the PSBB in Sidoarjo is still marked by a high rate of violation, especially related to the curfew regulation. As an illustration, from Tuesday evening to the wee hours of Wednesday, the joint team of the Sidoarjo Precinct Police, the Sidoarjo Military District Command 0816 and the Sidoarjo regency administration again held 301 curfew violators.

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Kompas/Bahana Patria Gupta

Customers wearing mask shop for food on Wednesday (6/5/2020) at Pasar Larangan market in Sidoarjo, East Java. Health workers held a Covid-19 rapid testing program for the market’s vendors and customers after a vendor tested positive for Covid-19, with 220 vendors participating in the program.

The number of violators increased over the total on Monday evening of around 300. Previously, the curfew violators were only 150.

“The rising rate of curfew violation indicates the low public awareness of preventing the transmission of this new coronavirus strain. The condition gives reason for deep concern,” said Chairman of the Covid-19 Rapid Response Task Force concurrently Deputy Regent of Sidoarjo Nur Achmad Syaifuddin.

What arouses greater concern is that of the hundreds of violators of the 21.00-04.00 curfew, nine people were tested positive for Covid-19 based on rapid random test results. If this situation remains neglected, the novel coronavirus will keep spreading more extensively.

The rising rate of curfew violation indicates the low public awareness of preventing the transmission of this new coronavirus strain.

Based on data from the East Java provincial government, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases on Wednesday evening reached 1,.220. The total of East Java’s confirmed Covid-19 cases was almost 10 percent of the national record of 12,437 people tested positive. The number of confirmed cases has continued to grow on a daily basis.

Of the 1,220 confirmed cases, 132 died, 205 were declared to have recovered and 883 were still receiving treatment at referral hospitals. Patients under surveillance (PDP) in East Java total 3,645 and people under monitoring (ODP) 20,608