Tourism Affected By Omicron, Sandiaga Uno: Show Must Go On!

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno. (Photo: Instagram @sandiuno)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno acknowledged that Indonesian tourism was again affected by COVID-19, the new variant of Omicron. Even so, Sandiaga ensured that various tourism events and activities continued.

"Omicron has an impact on tourism activities and the creative economy. We anticipate, mitigate, but show must go on," he said at the 'Weekly Press Briefing' event, Monday, January 10.

Sandiaga also ensured that Indonesia was ready to hold various planned activities. Like for example MotoGP in Mandalika. Likewise with tourism and other creative economic activities.

Furthermore, Sandiaga emphasized that these various events would be carried out while still prioritizing strict COVID-19 health protocols.

"We will prepare the event and make sure Indonesia is ready, ready to continue to hold it by adapting health protocols," he said.

Sandiaga explained that this was done to take advantage of the economic momentum that had begun to recover, so that the tourism sector and the creative economy could now begin to breathe.

Furthermore, Sandiaga emphasized that he would use this momentum by implementing strict health protocols and the precautionary principle to boost the tourism sector.

"Hopefully there will be an economic revival and recovery in the economic sector, in the tourism and creative sector by complying with health protocols," he said.

As is known, the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 has established rules and regulations regarding entry points, quarantine places, and RT-PCR obligations for Indonesian citizens traveling abroad. The regulation is contained in the Decree of the Head of the Task Force for Handling COVID-19 Number 2 of 2022.

"Overall, during December 2021 to Saturday January 8, Omicron confirmations continued to increase, 414 people. This made us increase our vigilance, especially at the entrance to Indonesia. There are 14 countries whose citizens are prohibited from entering Indonesia," he said.