Banjarmasin Residents Don't Try To Visit Tourist Attractions, All Are Closed On New Year's Eve

The Siring River Martapura tourist attraction on Jalan Piare Tendean, Banjarmasin City. (ANTARA/Bayu Pratama)

BANJARMASIN - The City Government of Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan closed all tourist attractions on New Year's Eve to anticipate crowds, because it was still the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Yes, it is closed, to prevent the accumulation of people or visitors," said Head of the Banjarmasin City Culture and Tourism Office Ikhsan Al-Haq in Banjarmasin, as reported by Antara, Friday, December 31.

According to him, all tourist attractions, such as Siring Sungai Martapura both on Jalan Pierre Tendean and others, as well as the Cambodian green open space on Jalan Anang Adnansi under the management of the city government, have been closed since this afternoon.

"It is guarded by the authorities, no one is allowed to go there," said Ikhsan Al-Haq.

He asked the public to celebrate the close of 2021 and the New Year of 2022 at home. "Because there is still a COVID-19 pandemic, moreover there is a new variant of Omicron," he explained.

Ikhsan asked the public to remain vigilant, not to try to visit tourist attractions for a while.

"Hopefully everyone can obey and support the city government's policies, because for the sake of our safety and health together, we are maintaining the current conditions, where COVID-19 cases have dropped," he said.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Banjarmasin H Ibnu Sina issued a circular regarding the organization of public entertainment in the series of Christmas 2021 and New Year 2022 celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Banjarmasin City. Circular issued on December 23, 2021.

The Mayor of Banjarmasin also forbade stage performances, bringing in artists, and other forms of crowds.

However, the mayor allowed restaurants to open, hawker stalls and cafes, as well as nightclubs on New Year's Eve by implementing health protocols and limited time.