Good News, Tourist Attractions In Garut Are Back Open In PPKM Level 2

A tourist wears a mask while traveling at the Mount Papandayan Natural Park, Garut Regency, West Java some time ago. (Photo: Purnama Ferry/Antara)

JAKARTA - The Government of Garut Regency, West Java has allowed tourist attractions to be open to the public because the status of Garut's Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) has dropped from Level 3 to Level 2, which loosened rules amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's okay with restrictions," said Head of the Garut Regency Tourism and Culture Office, Budi Gan Gan when contacted by cell phone in Garut, reported by Antara, Wednesday, December 1.

He said the central government through the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs had determined the number of regions, including Garut Regency, whose status had changed from PPKM Level 3 to Level 2.

The policy, he said, was in accordance with the regulations to allow art activities including tourism while still adhering to health protocols such as wearing masks, keeping a distance, and no crowding.

"It can operate again at PPKM Level 2 with a capacity of 25 percent," he said.

He added that visitors to tourist attractions must have been vaccinated, as well as tourism managers to prepare the Cares for Protection application so that all parties feel comfortable during their trip.

Meanwhile, for visitors who cannot access the Cares for Protection application, said Budi, officers will still be prepared to manually check whether visitors have been vaccinated or not.

"We will check manually, we will announce that when traveling, we must bring proof of the vaccine," he said.

The Daily Chair of the Garut COVID-19 Handling Unit, Nurdin Yana, stated that the entry of Level 2 PPKM will regenerate the community's economy even though it is still a COVID-19 pandemic.

"With level 2, the economy can grow again," he said.

Garut Regency is at level 2 of PPKM because the overall vaccination achievement is more than 50 percent, and the elderly target is above 40 percent, and positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 are low, there are 17 active cases.