Happy Holidays, Bromo Opened For Tourists Starting August 28th

The atmosphere in the tourist area of Bromo Tengger Semeru. (Vicki Febrianto / Antara)

JAKARTA - One of the leading tourist destinations in East Java, Mount Bromo, was reopened to tourists on August 28, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The head of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Center John Kenedie said the opening of the Mount Bromo tour was carried out in stages, after obtaining approval from the Minister of Environment and Forestry.

"There is already an approval from the minister, to open Bromo in stages," said John, in Malang City, East Java, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, August 25.

John explained that the reopening of Mount Bromo tourism in East Java will be held on Friday, August 28 starting at 13.00 WIB.

The tourists visiting Mount Bromo must strictly follow standard health protocol procedures.

For the initial stage, continued John, the tourists who will visit Mount Bromo are limited to 20 percent of the total capacity, or as many as 739 people per day. The number of visitors will be evaluated and added gradually.

John added, of the total quota of 20 percent, it was divided for Penanjakan as many as 178 people per day from a total capacity of 892 people. Then, the Bukit Cinta area, 28 people per day, from a total capacity of 141 people.

Bukit Kedaluh, the number of tourists allowed is 86 people per day, from a total capacity of 434 people, the Teletubbies Savana area, a maximum of 347 people per day, out of a total capacity of 1,735 people, and the Mentigen area as many as 100 people per day from a total capacity of 500 people.

"Every week there will be a gradual evaluation. If it is safe, and there are no new clusters, we will gradually increase it, to 30 percent, until later 50 percent," said John.

The opening of the Bromo tour is in accordance with the Decree of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number 261 / MenLHK / KSDAE / KSA.0 / 6/2020 concerning the gradual reactivation of National Parks, Nature Tourism Parks and Wildlife Reserves for Nature Tourism Visits in Final Transitional Conditions COVID-19.

The opening of the Bromo tourist area, was also accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the Regent of Probolinggo, Regent of Pasuruan, Regent of Malang, and Regent of Lumajang, regarding the reactivation of natural tourism objects by taking into account the factors of cleanliness, health, safety and the environment.

"Recommendations from four regents already exist to open Bromo in stages," said John.

John explained that tourists visiting Mount Bromo must strictly adhere to health protocols in an effort to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19.

Tourists are required to include a health certificate, and free of Upper Respiratory Infection (ISPA), from the health center. In addition, the body temperature of the tourists will also be checked, with a maximum of 37.3 degrees Celsius.

"The ISPA free health certificate is mandatory, and the body temperature is not more than 37.3 degrees, otherwise it is not possible. This has all been agreed upon by all stakeholders," said John.

John reminded that tourists are expected to comply with the prepared health protocols. If there is a violation, the competent authorities will give sanctions to the violators.

"If there is a new cluster, we are forced to close Bromo again. We pray, because this concerns the economy of the people there. Hopefully it is safe, everyone longs for Bromo to be opened," said John.

The tourist area of Mount Bromo has begun to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic since March 19, 2020. This closure is one of the steps to anticipate the spread of the Corona virus, especially in tourist destination areas.

The Bromo area is one of the leading tourist destinations in East Java. During 2019, the number of tourist visits from both domestic and foreign to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park reached 690,831 people.

Of this total, 669,422 people are domestic tourists, while 21,409 others are foreign tourists. Total Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) from tourist visits in 2019, reached IDR 22.86 billion.