Ganjar Threatens Central Java Tourist Destinations Must Comply With Health Protocols: If You Don't Comply, I Will Shut Down!

Ganjar Pranowo (Photo via Central Java Provincial Government)

JAKARTA - The Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, asked the Regent/Mayor to closely monitor tourist destinations in their respective regions. Because it is predicted, there will be a surge in tourists during the New Year holiday, this weekend.

"Now what must be monitored are tourist attractions, because the children are out of school and it is predicted that they will be busy going to tourism. So I ask Regency/City friends to carry out strict supervision," said Ganjar when met after chairing a coordination meeting handling COVID-19 at his official home, Monday, December 27.

Ganjar explained that the rules for the new year's holiday had been set. There is a new Ministry of Home Affairs that regulates this, including strict supervision, testing, tracing and others.

"So this week we have to be on full alert. We control tourism, we ask the PP Satpol around to keep reminding us," he said.

To the managers of tourism objects, Ganjar also reminded to strictly implement health protocols. The existing rules, all must be obeyed.

"Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs (Inmendagri) already exists, the capacity has been regulated, and please comply with the procedures. If the capacity is excessive, hold it immediately or temporarily close it until a certain hour. We will carry out control with the relevant agencies. And if there is something that is not appropriate, we will shut it down," he said.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of Central Java, Sumarno in his presentation explained, a total of 690 tourist destinations in Central Java. Of that number, as many as 674 tourist destinations stated that they would open on the New Year's holiday later.

"Meanwhile, there are only 16 tourist destinations that will be closed. So the procedure must be really strict. Make sure all visitors wear masks and enter using the care-protect application," he stressed.

Evaluation of Central Java Christmas Homecoming

Meanwhile, the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, appreciated the people who supported the government's program not to go home during the Christmas and New Year holidays. According to Ganjar, from the evaluation results of the Christmas homecoming, there was no significant increase in people going to Central Java.

"The prediction yesterday was 4 million, but in reality there are not a million. But we will continue to monitor whether there is a spike until the end of this week. I thank the people who want to support and obey the appeal not to go home during Christmas and New Year," said Ganjar.

The community support, Ganjar continued, was very helpful. He hopes that people will stay in their respective places during the New Year holidays.

"Hopefully the community will sincerely support, the New Year's holiday will remain like this, in your respective places. God willing, you can carry out activities comfortably, especially if you have been vaccinated, the procedure is strict and there are no crowds," he explained.

Ganjar also asked the public not to celebrate the new year excessively. Ganjar asked the public not to hold fireworks parties, crowd and carry out activities in groups.

"If this can be implemented, we can control the potential increase," he concluded.

From existing data, for vehicles entering Central Java for the period 17-24 December as many as 895.838. Meanwhile, for public transportation passengers who came to Central Java during that period, there were only 293.492 people. In fact, it is predicted that a total of 4 million more homecomers will come to Central Java during the Christmas and New Year homecoming.