Why did the BTS Meal launch cause chaos in Indonesia?

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BTS Meal Launch Led to Temporary Closures of McDonald's Outlets in Indonesia Due to Health Protocol Violations

The launch of McDonald's special edition BTS Meal in Indonesia triggered significant public order issues, leading to temporary closures of numerous outlets. The surge in demand from fans, primarily through food delivery riders, resulted in violations of health safety protocols, prompting authorities to intervene. This situation occurred amidst a record surge in daily Covid-19 infections in the country, amplifying concerns about public health.
Surge in Delivery Riders Led to Health Protocol Breaches

The introduction of the BTS Meal on Wednesday saw an overwhelming number of food delivery riders, known locally as 'ojol', descending upon McDonald's locations to fulfil customer orders. This influx of riders, many queuing for extended periods, created crowded conditions that contravened pandemic-related health safety measures. Indonesia's Public Order Agency had to actively disperse these gatherings at over a dozen outlets on Wednesday alone.
Authorities Issued Temporary Closure Notices and Warnings

In response to the widespread breaches, Indonesian police officials in Jakarta and other cities issued temporary closure notices to various McDonald's outlets. Specifically, 20 outlets in Jakarta were ordered to cease operations temporarily, while a dozen more received written warnings for failing to adhere to health protocols. The Jakarta Metro Police spokesman, Yusri Yunus, publicly suggested that McDonald's management discontinue the BTS Meal promotion for the time being to prevent further large gatherings.
Preventive Measures Proved Insufficient

McDonald's Indonesia had initially attempted to mitigate overcrowding by making the limited edition set available only through drive-thru and selected delivery platforms. However, this strategy backfired as it channelled the demand through delivery riders, inadvertently creating the very congestion authorities sought to avoid. McDonald's Indonesia spokesperson Sutji Lantyka noted that the company implemented dynamic "open-close" orders on platforms, temporarily halting sales if overwhelmed, to manage the situation.
Concerns Amidst Rising Covid-19 Cases

The disruptions occurred at a critical juncture, as Indonesia reported a record 8,892 new Covid-19 infections on the day prior to the police spokesman's statement, marking the republic's highest figure since February 23. The large gatherings associated with the BTS Meal launch, therefore, posed a significant public health risk and fuelled authorities' desire for the promotion's immediate discontinuation to curb potential further spread of the virus. Despite the police's suggestion, McDonald's Indonesia had not yet announced a decision on continuing or withdrawing the meal.

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Why did the BTS Meal launch cause chaos in Indonesia?

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