COVID-19 Pandemic: The Continuation of Trade Activity amidst Indonesia Transitional Phase to the New-Normal

In order to maintain national economic stability amidst the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, the Indonesian government has decided to allow the resumption of business operations in various sectors which includes the trade sectors.

Legal Frameworks: Our below executive summary refers to the Minister of Trade Circular Letter No. 12 of 2020 on the Resumption of Trading Activities during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic and the New Normal (“Circular Letter 12/2020”).

Main Keys on the Trade Activity amidst Indonesia Transitional Phase: We provide the following main keys on the Trade Activity amidst Indonesia Transitional Phase.

Scope of the Trading Locations: We refer to the Point 1 of Circular Letter 12/2020, the following trading locations are allowed to operate during the transitional phase:

  1. Traditional markets;
  2. Convenience Stores (Minimarkets, Supermarkets, Hypermarkets, Department Stores);
  3. Restaurants and Cafes;
  4. Pharmacies or Drugstores and Medical Appliance Stores;
  5. Malls or Shopping Centers;
  6. Restaurants in Rest Areas:
  7. Salons/Spas, Recreational/Tourism Sites:
  8. Certain Recreational Sites such as Zoos, Museums, Art Galleries.

(Collectively referred to as “Trading Locations”)

Requirements for the operational of Trading Locations: We note that MoT stipulates numbers of operational requirements to be implemented within the Trading Locations among others as follows:

  1. Ensuring that all workers have conducted rapid testing with a negative result of COVID-19;
  2. Assuring all workers and visitors to use masks, face shields, and gloves;
  3. Implementing social distancing in every working stage;
  4. Carrying out temperature screenings prior to the entering of Trading Location (body temperatures must be below 37.3°C);
  5. Maintaining the hygiene of all public facilities such as toilets, parking lots; and so forth.

(Collectively referred to as “Operational Requirements”)

Capacity Limitation on the Trading Locations: In addition to the implementation of strict health protocols and abovementioned Operational Requirements, Circular Letter 12/2020 stipulated that Trading Locations should also limit its capacity as elaborated on the below table.

Trading Location

Remark

Traditional markets

30%

Convenience store

40%

Restaurants and cafes

40%

Pharmacies and medical appliance stores

40%

Malls or shopping centers

35%

Restaurants in rest areas

40%

Other tourism spots

50%

Mandatory Trading Activities Reporting: We further note that the management of Trading Location shall periodically submit a report on the implementation of the aforementioned Operational Requirements to the Head of the Local COVID-19 Task Force and copied to relevant Trade Office.

The article above was prepared by Marshall S. Situmorang (Partner) and Aniendita Rahmawati (Associate). 

Disclaimer: The information herein is of general nature and should not be treated as legal advice, nor shall it be relied upon by any party for any circumstance. Specific legal advice should be sought by interested parties to address their particular circumstances. For more information, please contact us at mail@nusantaralegal.com.