Task Force Reminds Community And Tourism Sector To Always Obey Health Protocol

Screenshot of the Head of the Public Communications Sub Division of the COVID-19 Task Force Troy Pantouw (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Head of the Public Communications Sub-Sector of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force, Troy Pantouw, reminded the public and business actors in the tourism sector that health protocols must be adhered to before and during the holiday period to avoid a spike in cases.

"The government understands that the tourism sector, which had been stagnant due to the pandemic, must be revived, but it is important to remember that we are still in a pandemic condition, so a strategy is needed to balance economic movements and prevention of COVID-19 cases," Troy said in a statement received in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, on Thursday, December 9th.

He said one of the strategies was to implement the implementation of the cleanliness, health, safety, and environmental sustainability (CSHE) protocol at the tourist sites.

Speaking at the event "Implementation of the COVID-19 Health Protocol Ahead of the Awakening of the Tourism Sector" in Bandung, West Java, today, Troy emphasized that the implementation of the health protocol was important considering that previous experience had seen an increase in cases after the holiday period. This is because there are still people who neglect to carry out health protocols (prokes).

According to him, during the adaptation period to new habits, economic activities must indeed run, including the tourism sector. However, on the other hand, the community must also continue to comply with the health protocol and follow government recommendations to prevent a spike in cases.

This step is important considering that currently, new variants of COVID-19 have emerged.

"The public must remain aware that this pandemic is not over. People must continue to follow the health protocol, especially in facing the Christmas and New Year holidays," said Troy.

In the event, Head of the West Java Tourism and Culture Office, Dedi Taufik, predicted a surge in the number of tourists in Bandung during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

However, both tourism business actors and tourists are continuously encouraged to implement health procedures and efforts have been made to pick up the ball related to vaccination with the Vaccine Tourism Program.

Collaborating with district/city governments, vaccinations are carried out at tourist attractions. This was done to achieve communal immunity against COVID-19.

Anticipating the potential for transmission during the Christmas and New Year holidays, his party has also intensively carried out socialization and testing, tracking and treatment (testing, tracing, treatment/3T). It is also ensured that the task force at tourist sites can function properly.

"That's one way, how do we receive tourist visits in West Java, of course, we have to make sure it's comfortable and safe. Don't let anyone be exposed to tourist attractions. For that, we do an early warning by doing 3 Ts," said Dedi.