Luhut Imbau To Open Tourist Areas Other Than Bali And Banyuwangi, Observer: Don't Be Careless

JAKARTA - The government plans to open tourist areas following Bali and Banyuwangi. All regional heads are asked to emulate these two regions that have carried out tourism activities with good health protocols.

Then, is this government's step right considering that positive new cases of COVID-19 continue to increase? Economist Indef Bhima Yudisthira said the government should not be reckless in deciding the opening of tourist attractions. The thing that must be considered is the handling of COVID-19 in the area.

Bhima reminded that the government's decision to open other tourist areas would create new problems. One of them is the emergence of a new cluster of the spread of COVID-19 which will later trigger local economic problems.

"The rush to open tourist attractions has a negative impact on the economy," he said, when contacted by VOI, Tuesday, August 18.

In line with Bhima, public policy observer Trubus Rahadiansyah assessed that the opening of tourist areas must pay attention to positive cases in the area.

Apart from that, he said, the government must also provide health facilities and medical personnel in tourist areas. This is intended for emergency treatment.

"There must be health facilities, ambulances and medical personnel. Especially in natural tourist areas which are far from the city center. So that if tourists are short of breath or experiencing health problems, they can be immediately taken to get medical help," he said.

Not only that, said Trubus, local governments must also involve the role of the local community, especially in receiving tourists. According to him, the role of the community is the key to handling COVID-19 well.

"The local people are involved, invited to jointly maintain and comply with protocols. For example, if someone is not wearing a mask, don't give him in. This is important so that there is no spread of COVID-19 in tourist areas," he said.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan appealed to various regions to imitate the steps that have been taken by Bali and Banyuwangi to re-open their tourism.

Luhut assessed that the two regions have carried out tourism activities with good health protocols.

"I ask ladies and gentlemen in the local government to take and carry out the latest initiatives. What Bali, Banyuwangi is doing for reactivation is a good example, for example, maybe Yogya, Batam-Bintan or other places," said Luhut in the Tourism webinar, Wednesday, August 12. .

According to Luhut, the government is trying to revive tourism activities, but still prioritizing public health. He also reminded tourists not to get bored of obeying health protocols such as wearing masks, washing hands, and social distancing, especially in densely populated areas.

Luhut also requested that regional heads continue to improve the quality of their health protocols first. Especially for a number of areas that are the outskirts of large cities. If not, it is feared that it could cause new problems.

"The trend shows that domestic tourists will visit a buffer city that has nature. Jakarta, for example, to Sentul and Puncak. Surabaya for example, tourists to Banyuwangi and Bromo," he explained.