Sandiaga Uno Optimizes Quarantine Free Policy And Visa On Arrival To Boost Creative Economy

Sandiaga Uno (Photo via Ministry)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, said that the release of quarantine for Foreign Travel Actors, both Indonesian citizens and foreigners, would have a positive impact on the development of the tourism sector and the creative economy (Ekraf).

The government has imposed free quarantine for foreign travelers, both Indonesian citizens and foreigners from a number of countries to Bali, Batam, and Bintan, including the re-imposition of visas on arrival.

This policy, said Sandiaga, is also in order to optimize Indonesia as the host of various international events such as the 2022 MotoGP, G20 Presidency, World Tourism Day, and others.

"We are targeting the number of foreign tourists this year to be 1.8 million to 3.6 million. But with this policy, hopefully we can revise this number. Therefore, let's support all the smooth running of this trial and hopefully Indonesia can rise up soon. This is a signal of our economic revival to open up business and job opportunities," said Sandiaga in his statement, Tuesday, March 8.

Speaking at the Weekly Press Briefing from Gedung Sapta Pesona, Sandiaga said the policy was a step by the government in responding to any developments based on data.

"So it is hoped that the program or policy is right on target, has the right benefits, and above all is on time. And we together with other ministries/agencies are also preparing our transition to a new economy," said Sandiaga.

"The new economy is a digital-based, health-based economy, which ensures the superiority of human resources, is fair, which opens up opportunities to the tourism village and creative villages. So that Indonesia can become a quality destination that prioritizes environmental sustainability aspects," he added.

Furthermore, Sandiaga ensures that the policies taken by the government are based on data and input from experts and epidemiologists. Where the number of people who are fully vaccinated and booster and the level of transmission of COVID-19 in Bali, Batam and Bintan is under control.

In addition to the quarantine-free policy and the re-imposition of visa on arrival, the government has also revised the travel requirements for air and other transportation. For people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in full doses, the requirements for negative antigen or PCR tests are no longer applied.

"Don't forget domestic tourists as our potential, who for the past 2 years have supported the tourism sector and the creative economy with 34 million jobs. This policy was taken to ensure that not only prioritize health but also start to open up new opportunities so that the economy of the community which has been under heavy contraction for 2 years start to stretch. And this will also boost economic growth in the region, including welcoming Ramadan and Eid, "he said.

Nevertheless, he ensured that the implementation of strict and disciplined health protocols integrated with the PeduliLindung application was still the main requirement.

"Evaluations will be carried out weekly, if the transmission rate of COVID-19 is under control, of course it is possible to accelerate the implementation of quarantine-free implementation for all regions in the archipelago," said Sandiaga.

On that occasion, Sandiaga also conveyed the progress of organizing the 2022 Mandalika MotoGP. As many as 60 thousand tickets for the third day of the event were sold out. The requirement for spectators who will attend in person is also only a complete 2-dose vaccination. In other words, negative results of antigen tests or PCR are not applied.

"It is also hoped that the number of accommodations that are still empty, around 7,300 rooms as of March 4, 2022, can be filled soon. Both from those around Mandalika and to Gili. I plan to stay on Gili for the first night and try glamping at Mandalika in the second day," said Sandiaga.

Moreover, Menparekraf Sandiaga also said that Belitung had been appointed by the central government through the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas as the host of the G20 Ministerial-Level Conference on 7 to 9 September 2022.

"This is a momentum for economic and tourism revival for Belitung, and hopefully it will be fully supported by the community. And it will be felt fairly for the people of Bangka Belitung the impact of the presence of the G20. We believe that Belitung's economy will grow soon and preparations for the G20 will trigger the opening of opportunities business and employment," said Sandiaga Uno.