In Response To Requests From Entrepreneurs, The Government Considers Granting Foreign Tourists Concessions

Menkumham Yasonna H. Laoly/photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The increasing number of COVID-19 patients with the omicron variant in Indonesia has made the government take anticipatory steps to reduce the rate of spread.

However, in order to keep the wheels of the economy running, some concessions are given, one of which is in the tourism sector. The government is considering making concessions to the policy of limiting foreign tourist visits to Indonesia. This was stated by the Minister of Law and Human Rights (Menkumham) Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly.

"When we started loosening up, the Delta variant came in. Then when it started to be handled and we wanted to loosen the entry policy into Indonesia, suddenly Omicron appeared, which made us have to keep pulling the brakes," said Yasonna, quoted by Antara, Monday, January 17.

This policy also responds to requests from entrepreneurs in the tourism sector who ask the government to relax the policy on limiting foreign tourist arrivals to the Island of the Gods, especially ahead of the G20 event in 2022.

The government, said Yasonna, is aware of the tough policies that must be taken because on the one hand, it must prioritize public safety. However, on the other hand, maintaining the pace of the economy must be considered.

Therefore, he continued, restrictions on foreign tourist visits depended on the rate of spread of COVID-19 in the country.

"Evaluations related to policies for handling the COVID-19 pandemic are always carried out every week in a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace," he added.

Yasonna also explained that any decisions taken regarding the easing of entry permits for foreign nationals must be based on discussions with the relevant ministers. According to him, the government is also preparing steps to anticipate if there is a spike in cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in February or March 2022.

"All of us want to open up arrivals so the economy can roll," he said.

The government hopes that this prediction does not come true. If the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 occurs, it will not be as feared, said Yasonna.

According to him, all parties, especially the community, must continue to struggle to deal with the current conditions. However, what is certain is that the President is paying attention or focusing on how to make the pandemic end soon and the economy to grow again