Jakartans Flock Back to National Monument After Reopening

TheIndonesia.id - The people of Jakarta have been returning to the National Monument since its reopening on June 17 after being temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to management team, thousands of people visit the monument (known locally as Monas) every day. And on the weekends, the number will increase up to ten-fold.

“During the trial period that has been taking place, on weekdays, [the number of visitors] is below 10,000. However, astonishingly, last Sunday, the figure reached 103,997 people,” Monas public relations Nursamin said on Thursday, June 30, as reported by Antara.

Nursalim added that since the reopening of the famous monument is still “limited”, management will only start opening access into the monument and into the top of Monas on Friday, with strict health protocols to follow by visitors. He said tickets will be available until 3 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB).

And on Thursday, a lot of visitors reportedly arrived at Monas area in Gambir, Central Jakarta – even when operating hours were almost over.

“It has been closed for a while, so I’m happy that it reopens,” one visitor from Cikarang, West Java, said.

Another visitor said she came to Monas to interview the visitors for a college project.

Both visitors said they hoped access to the top of the monument can also reopen soon, so tourists can sightsee and learn more about the city of Jakarta.