Jakarta. Jakarta will extend distance learning through Tuesday as volcanic ash remains detectable in several areas, while the city administration steps up mitigation efforts by spraying water mist and distributing free masks, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said Monday.

Pramono said the concentration of volcanic ash in the air had fallen significantly but remained present in some areas, prompting the administration to extend distance learning for another day to ensure safer conditions for students.

“Volcanic ash has actually decreased significantly, but it is still present in some areas. We need one more day, so we will extend distance learning until tomorrow,” Pramono told reporters in Jakarta.

He stressed that the extension could not be based solely on his verbal instruction and would require an official circular from the Jakarta Education Agency.

“I will ask the head of the Education Agency to follow up on this, because in Jakarta, my statement alone is not enough. There must be a circular letter from the head of the Education Agency to regulate this,” he said.

Civil Servants to Work as Usual

Unlike students, civil servants working for the Jakarta administration will continue to work from their offices as usual. However, employees have been instructed to wear masks while carrying out their duties.

“Civil servants are actually required to come to work as usual today. We are only asking them to wear masks. So, there are no new plans for civil servants tomorrow. The only new measure is the extension of distance learning,” Pramono said.

Water Mist Spraying, Free Masks

To help remove volcanic dust particles from the air, the Jakarta administration will continue deploying joint teams from the Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency, the Jakarta Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) to spray water mist through Tuesday.

The administration has also asked managers of high-rise buildings equipped with similar systems to activate their water mist systems.

In addition to spraying water along major roads, the administration will continue distributing free masks at public locations.

Pramono also warned mask sellers against hoarding supplies or manipulating prices amid concerns over panic buying and potential shortages.

“This has become a public need, a shared need, so it should not be exploited. The Jakarta administration will continue distributing masks at these locations to help people who need them,” he said.

The Jakarta administration, together with the central government and disaster management agencies, is also preparing to conduct weather modification operations, known as OMC, while monitoring cloud development.

Officials are assessing whether conditions will allow the operation to be carried out in the near future.

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