Preparations for Eid in Indonesia

Jakarta's citizens packed shopping areas on Friday in preparation for Eid celebrations this weekend, despite shop closures ordered by the Indonesian government to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

Crowds were advised to maintain social and physical distancing, and members of the public were required to wear masks while shopping.

Despite ordered closures, many shops continued trading on Friday, prompting the regional government to take action against traders.

A.Triyanto, Head of Control for Jakarta's regional government, said: "We have appealed to people (not to carry out trading activities) and now we are forced to take action against those who do not follow government regulations."

The Jakarta government has implemented large-scale social restrictions where work, study and worship activities must be carried out at home.

In Indonesia, more than 20,000 people have been infected, and over a thousand have died.

At the Senen food market, many people shop for necessities ahead of Eid al-Fitr, but numbers are down compared to the same time last year, with traders complaining that turnover had dropped dramatically.

Fahira Ismail, a mother of three children, said she had not been out of the house in the last two weeks to avoid the new virus, but said she had no choice but to shop for food.

"I'm actually scared (going to market) but I have no choice anymore" she said.

Eid al-Fitr is the biggest Muslim celebration in Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

This year the celebrations are expected to be very different, with the government installing measures to prevent people from gathering, preventing mass Eid prayers.