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Jakartans long for fresh air as city parks remain closed
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Children rollerblade at Puring Park in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on May 15. The Jakarta administration has opened several public parks in the capital at 30 percent of visitor capacity and under limited operating hours. (Antara/Aprillio Akbar)
T
he Jakarta administration has kept most city parks closed since the beginning of the pandemic, leaving residents with few options to escape the tedium of housebound life under virus restrictions.
Going to a city park at least weekly was once Siti Kuswatun’s first choice for leisure. She could bask in the sun and enjoy relatively fresh air in the midst of the polluted city.
But it has been a year since the 26-year-old homemaker has taken a stroll in any of the parks near her house in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta. Authorities have justified the widespread park closures since March 2020 by citing fears of overcrowding leading to increased COVID-19 infection.
These closures have been prolonged as the city is still recording high virus transmission rates, leaving many Jakartans, including Siti, frustrated at losing an inexpensive way to break up the boredom of long periods at home.
Siti’s 3-year-old son also loves running around in open spaces and playing in playgrounds.
Because the eight city parks in the area remain closed, Siti and her neighbors have opted to spend time at a nearby public cemetery, where they exercise, fly kites and spend time in the sunlight.
She said she hoped authorities would reopen more parks soon because she believed they would serve an important purpose during the pandemic.
