On the first day McDonald’s The BTS Meal sale in Indonesia, local media reported that some stores were closed due to concerns over the spread of Covid-19 as delivery drivers flocked to buy the product.
According to media reports such as the Jakarta Post and AFP on the 9th local time, more than 12 McDonald’s stores have been temporarily suspended in some cities, including Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Dozens of food delivery drivers were not properly wearing masks while they gathered at McDonald’s store stands. Assumingly, they are the delivery drivers who want to purchase the products after receiving BTS fans’ set orders from BTS fans.
Dozens of delivery drivers trying to buy BTS Meal have reportedly gathered not only in Jakarta but also in Indonesia’s McDonald’s stores, including the southern outskirts of Bogor. The Jakarta Post described “a crazy purchase attempt in a K-pop-mad country.”
“Four out of six McDonald’s stores in Semarang will be temporarily closed for two days,” said Pazar Puruto, head of Semarang City’s public order agency. “We don’t want Semarang City to be a Corona-risk area again.” There are reportedly at least 13 McDonald’s stores across Indonesia that have closed due to a surge in BTS Meal.
The spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia is serious. The number of new confirmed cases was 7,725 on Wednesday local time, the highest since February 26. The cumulative number of confirmed cases has increased to 1.77 million, and the daily death toll is 170. The total number of deaths is 52,162. In the meantime, dozens of delivery drivers flocked to the narrow store to buy BTS Meal. This is why McDonald’s stores in Indonesia are suspended.
McDonald’s has been selling BTS Meal in 49 countries on six continents since the 26th of last month, starting with the United States, Canada, and Brazil. It consists of 10 pieces of McNuggets, french fries, and drinks. It includes sweet chili sauce and Cajun sauce selected by BTS members.
