The return of the Jakarta Fair trade expo after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus, the country’s first-ever Formula E race and the city administration’s plan to waive land and building ownership tax for property worth up to Rp 2 billion (US$134,826) are some the boons Jakarta residents have enjoyed the most.

The Jakarta Fair, billed as one of the largest exhibitions in the region, kicked off on June 9 and will conclude on July 17. Organizers hope it will attract big crowds, as it is coinciding with the long school holiday. Terms and conditions apply, however, as people above the age of 60 and children who stand lower than 100 centimeters are barred from entering the Jakarta International Expo center in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, where the fair will be held.

Visitors are also required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and wear masks, as cases have begun an uptick resulting from the new BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.

But the lingering cases do not seem to be preventing Jakarta from partying for the 495^th anniversary of its founding.

On one hand, the festivities are well-deserved, as the city has worked hard over the past two years to bring COVID-19 under control. Jakarta today is completely different from how it was one or two years ago, when waves of the virus wreaked havoc – announced by roaring ambulance sirens day and night.

The government has relaxed restrictions, allowing schools to resume full face-to-face learning and shopping malls, cinemas and places of worship to operate at full capacity. Life appears to be approaching normalcy, so much so that many have been breaking health protocols.

The commemorative events, which will peak on Saturday with the grand opening of the Jakarta International Stadium in North Jakarta, showcase the optimism and resilience that pervades the city as its government and citizens prepare to face future challenges.

Governor Anies Baswedan will preside over a ceremony at the National Monument (Monas) tomorrow morning to commemorate Jakarta’s birthday. This will be followed by a plenary session of the City Council and an evening reception.

The city government has chosen hajatan (celebration) as the theme of this year’s anniversary festivities, as Jakarta looks poised to leave the misery of the pandemic behind and look toward a better life for all.

But only time will tell whether it is too early to celebrate. Another daunting test for the city awaits in the form the new Omicron subvariants, which have been moving through the city. Complacency could plunge Jakarta into another health crisis.

The city also has yet to adequately address the torments of traffic, flooding and other characteristic urban problems, perhaps because they are intertwined with each other and the solutions, so far, have been partial and ad hoc.

It will certainly require great effort from both Jakarta’s residents and leadership to transform the city into a better place to live. For such a dream to come true, once the celebrations end, we have to get right back to work.