Quarantine Costs Are Expensive, PKS Asks Government To Immediately Take Action On Hotel Mafia

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the DPR RI, the PKS faction, Anshory Siregar, asked the government to immediately take action against the hotel mafia who played price games. The reason is, he suspects the hotel mafia is playing with the mandatory 10-day quarantine policy for the arrival of foreigners/citizens from abroad. This information, said Anshory, was received because there were residents who reported that hotel prices had increased many times from the usual cost of staying. "The activities of these hotels are clearly detrimental to the people. doubled. We suspect that this is a game. The way (the government, ed) is by combing hotels and checking the costs they incur," said Anshory Siregar in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 14.

For example, continued Anshory, the price of a 10-night quarantine package at a hotel around Mangga Dua reaches Rp. 11 million per person. Therefore, the total cost of quarantine for a couple of parents with 1 child in one hotel room reaches Rp. 24 million.

If they return from Singapore with a ticket (PP) fee of Rp. 10 million, said Anshory, the costs they incur can reach Rp. 34 million.

"This does not include PCR, yes. The cost for PCR can be Rp. 36-37 million per family. If this continues, it will be difficult for tourists to visit this country and ultimately harm the government itself," said the head of the health commission.

Anshory also suggested that the Government immediately set a maximum price for quarantine in hotels.

"The government can apply the highest quarantine price in hotels to prevent hotel owners playing games to make big profits from this quarantine policy," concluded Anshory. Previously, Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII DPR RI Ace Hasan Syadzily, asked the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to explain transparently regarding quarantine rules for citizens who have just traveled from abroad. Moreover, quarantine must be carried out in places provided by BNPB. This follows the many problems of alleged quarantine violations that have recently surfaced. Moreover, the quarantine time policy also changes frequently, starting from the mandatory quarantine of 7 days, 5 days, 3 days, and now it is 10 days. Ace is worried that this rule will create questions in the community.

"We don't want Indonesia to become a place for the spread of COVID-19 with various variants including the Omicron variant. Just one day (quarantine, ed) will definitely affect the fate of the people," said Ace during the work of Commission VIII with BNPB, Monday, December 13.

In addition to the time rules, according to the Golkar politician, BNPB also needs to be open about quarantine places in hotels. Because Ace said, the costs incurred for quarantine for 10 days cannot be said to be small. Ace is also worried, there is a public perception that this quarantine is being run for profit, as is the case with the alleged PCR business.

"There should not be accusations from the public that this is BNPB's business in collaboration with hotel owners. This must be dismissed," said Ace. In fact, Ace revealed, the pocket that must be issued by individuals for a 10-day quarantine reached Rp. 24 million.

"Many WA to me, this is for example 10 days Rp. 24 million, right, sir, Rp. 24 million, Rp. 24 million, pack 10 days quarantine package at the hotel," said the West Java legislator.

Not only the quarantine fee at the hotel, Ace added, sometimes the condition of the hotel which is often full is also a problem. Therefore, he hopes, the obligation to quarantine for 10 in hotels that have been provided will no longer be a new burden for the community.

"I don't think this will create a perception that people will then ask questions. Even though it's economically good for living in a hotel, it's for the people to be trapped, sir," concluded Ace.