Looking At The Mass Vaccinations In Yogyakarta, Jokowi Hopes That Gudeg's City Tourism And Economy Will Rise Again

President Jokowi (DOC. BPMI Setpres)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) hopes that giving the COVID-19 vaccine to traders in Beringharjo Market, Malioboro, and Alun-Alun can restore economic and tourism conditions in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

This was conveyed when he reviewed the implementation of mass vaccination which was held at the Fort Vredeburg Museum, Yogyakarta, Monday, March 1.

"I saw earlier that the vaccination process carried out for traders in Beringharjo Market was running smoothly and also for street vendors, business people, then shopkeepers, employees in businesses on Malioboro Street to the square as well," he said. Jokowi in a press conference that was held after conducting a review that was broadcasted on the YouTube account of the Presidential Secretariat, Monday, March 1.

He said, the entire vaccine process that he was reviewing had run smoothly. President Jokowi hopes that this can be resolved in order to restore the economy and tourism in this Gudeg City.

"The vaccination runs smoothly and well. The total number (of participants, red) is 19,900 and we hope that it can be completed soon. So we hope that the economy can recover, can bounce back," he said.

"Then tourism in Yogyakarta can also revive and advance the economy in Yogyakarta Province, especially Jogja City," added the former Governor of DKI Jakarta.

During the visit, Jokowi appeared to be accompanied by a number of people including Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Handling Task Force Reisa Broto Asmoro, Minister of State Secretary, Special Region of Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwana X, and Yogyakarta Mayor Haryadi Suyuti.

Previously reported, the COVID-19 vaccine program in the country since January 13. In the national COVID-19 vaccination program, the government is targeting 181.5 million vaccine targets. They are people aged 18 years and over. Vaccine recipients receive twice the injection dose.

In the first phase, the vaccine is intended for 1.5 million health workers. As of today, health workers who have received the first dose of vaccination are 73.47 percent and the second dose is 29.85 percent.

Then, in the second stage, COVID-19 vaccination is for the elderly and public service workers. The target is 21.5 million elderly and 16.9 million public workers. This program lasts until May.

They are market traders, educators, religious leaders and counselors, representatives of the people, officials, government, civil servants, National Army-National Police, tourism officers, public services, public transportation workers, athletes, and media workers.

Furthermore, vaccination will be carried out for 63.9 million vulnerable people or people living in areas with high risk of infection. Then, other communities as many as 77.7 million people. This program will be carried out from April 2021 to March 2022.