Sandiaga Uno And Governor Wayan Koster Say The COVID-19 Case Inrease Is Not Because Of Work From Bali

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno denied that the "Work From Bali" policy was the trigger for the surge in COVID-19 cases in Bali.

Menparekraf Sandiaga, during an online Weekly Press Briefing in Jakarta, Monday, June 29, said that his party had coordinated with the Governor of Bali and relevant stakeholders in Bali and clarified that the Work From Bali program was not the trigger for an increase in cases.

"The data we got from the Bali COVID-19 Task Force, shows that the dominance of the spike in cases was triggered by local transmission, which almost reached 84 percent", said Sandiaga Uno, quoted by Antara.

As is known, the Work From Bali policy is only applied to three green zones, namely Sanur, Ubud, and Nusa Dua. Meanwhile, the increase in cases occurred in different areas, namely Denpasar, Gianayar, Buleleng, and Tabanan. However, this policy will be re-evaluated, considering the Circular from the Minister of Home Affairs which imposes activity restrictions.

In addition, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy also encourages the acceleration of vaccination and tightening of CHSE-based health protocols in creative economy destinations and centers, in coordination with local governments and related parties. Then, with regard to the travel corridor arrangement, preparations continue, especially in terms of "end-to-end CHSE".

"Of course we continue to prepare this travel corridor arrangement. Indeed, COVID-19 cases are increasing, but that does not mean we stop preparing. We must continue to prepare, especially in terms of end-to-end CHSE, so as soon as foreign tourists land until they return, we prepare and we involving other ministries/institutions. The plan is later to adjust the pandemic situation, we will increase coordination at the ministerial level to bring the final decision to the President after the COVID-19 preconditions are more conducive", he said.

The Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster also emphasized that the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Bali was not due to the Work From Bali program.

"I emphasize that there is no connection at all. So this is indeed increasing because it is in line with the increase in community activity. Because in Bali now the situation is like normal", he said.

Wayan explained that many Balinese have been vaccinated. So, when tested positive for COVID-19, they recover quickly.

"From the existing data, there are 1.408 active cases, 400 are hospitalized, the remaining 900 are undergoing centralized quarantine and also self-isolation. Then the death rate is very low, below 5 people per day. Hopefully, this can be controlled in time fast", said I Wayan.

Wayan Koster said the number of visits to Bali currently ranges from 8.000 to 9.000 per day. In accordance with the directives of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Health, and the Minister of Transportation to tighten entry routes to Bali for domestic travel, the provincial government of Bali issued a new Circular regarding the requirements for domestic tourists to enter Bali.

For tourists who use air transportation only PCR-based swabs apply, then for land and sea transportation only antigen swabs are applied, for GeNose it is no longer valid. This SE will be effective on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. And to make sure the PCR/antigen swab certificate is genuine, it must be equipped with a QR-Code.

"There are no restrictions on going to Bali, but we must implement even stricter health protocols", he added.

In addition, Wayan suggested that the implementation of the Tourism Grant Fund be accelerated for tourism actors and the creative economy, which was budgeted at IDR 3.7 trillion nationally. Many tourism and creative economy businessmen want to immediately use it for the sustainability of their business.

In addition, the proposed soft loan that has been launched can be followed up. As is known, tourism and creative business actors in Bali through Governor Wayan Koster have proposed financing of IDR 9 trillion to the central government.

The tourism sector in Bali through Wayan also submitted an application to be given an extension of the installment payment period, because the OJK regulation will end in March 2022. However, specifically for Bali, it is estimated that March 2022 will most likely not be able to carry out the installment payments, due to the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

"Of course we hope this can be applied to all tourism and creative economy actors in Indonesia. However, at least there is for Bali because its condition is very bad due to the COVID-19 pandemic", he hoped.

Regarding the reopening of Bali, which is targeted by the President at the end of July, Governor Wayan Koster hopes that this will continue as expected. It is hoped that in the near future a coordination meeting will be held regarding this matter.