Doni Monardo: If Public Safety Endangers The Pandemic, Tourist Attractions Should Be Closed

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Task Force on Handling COVID-19, Doni Monardo, urged the COVID-19 Task Force in the region to regulate or if necessary close tourist attractions that have the potential to be the center of transmission of the virus during the Eid al-Fitr holiday season.

In addition, he asked the local government to take the initiative not to let public activities in tourist attractions exceed the 50 percent limit, as the central government recommends.

"We expect all elements of the regional task force, including the Police, must dare to make decisions, take regulatory steps. In fact, if necessary, if it endangers public safety it is better to close it," Doni said in a press conference posted on BNPB Indonesia's YouTube account, Saturday, May 15.

He asked the task force in the area to speak openly to the manager of the tourist attraction if closures should be carried out. So, the managers can understand and want to work together.

"Because if the active case increases, automatically everything will retreat again", said Doni.

He asked all regions, without exception, to comply with the rules that have been made by the central government regarding the handling of COVID-19. Moreover, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called the gas and brake suits in the handling of COVID-19 is appropriate at this time.

"Therefore, the concern of the region to comply with all the rules and policies that have been issued by the central government can run", he said.

"If this (condition of transmission of COVID-19, red) is good until the end of June and can run until mid-August, it may be a gift, a gift for the independence of our nation," added Doni.

In the same event, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs who is also chairman of KPCPEN (Committee for the Control of COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery) Airlangga Hartarto said the technical rules of tourist attraction management are the responsibility of the local government. However, the rules must be based on the rules of implementation of the Implementation of Restrictions on Micro-Community Activities (PPKM).

"The government has clearly stated in the micro PPKM that public places are required to follow health protocols and open with 50 percent capacity, and of course the arrangements are left to the respective local governments," he said.

Previously reported, the enthusiasm of the public to visit tourist attractions during the holiday of Eid al-Fitr 1442 Hijri increased. One of them is Ancol Dreamland, which led to the closure of operational activities to tighten health protocols.

"Ancol is temporarily closed on May 15, 2021", said Taman Impian Jaya Ancol Corporate Communication Manager, Rika Lestari, in a written statement.

Earlier on Friday, the management of Taman Impian Jaya Ancol closed the access gate in and out of visitors or at 17.00 WIB.

The closure at the main gate was carried out in response to the rules of restrictions on visitors during the Eid holidays set by the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta