Coordinating Minister For Human and Culture Development: Local Tourism Objects May Be Opened To Balance The Economy

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Human and Culture Development (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy said local tourism objects are allowed to continue operating during the ban on homecoming as a government effort to balance the economic situation.

"So we are looking for the optimum point. Optimum Pareto. So don't let one of them be good, but the goodwill erodes the others. Thus, we hope that the economic pulse will continue to beat," he said as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, April 20.

However, the government also implements strict terms and conditions at local tourist sites.

"For example, a maximum of 50 percent of visitor capacity, then the health protocol disciplinary regulations must be tightened. Sanctions for those who do not have operational standards must be enforced," continued Muhadjir.

By continuing to open local tourism, according to Muhadjir, it is the government's effort to balance economic conditions with the handling of COVID-19.

"We hope that the movement of the flow of goods and services and the purchasing power and consumption power of the people will still grow during the Lebaran period. Therefore, local tourism is still allowed," he said.

Muhadjir said there are a number of differences in government policies that prohibit homecoming on Lebaran 2021 this time.

If the previous year's homecoming ban occurred during the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) period, the ban on homecoming this time was in the midst of micro-scale social restrictions that were not as strict as during the PSBB period.

"So that what is prohibited during this period is Eid homecoming. It means homecoming in the sense of massive movement of people from one place to another and the distance is relatively far to their destination, and in a short momentum, namely the peak of Eid al-Fitr on May 6-17," he said.