Christmas Holiday Removed, Sandiaga Uno: Our Main Focus Is Public Health

Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno/DOC Personal Instagram

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said the abolition of joint leave for the 2022 Christmas and New Year (nataru) holidays was decided with full consideration.

"Our main focus is public health, safety, and security, we don't want COVID-19 cases to rise sharply," he said at the Weekly Press Briefing of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) quoted by Antara, Monday, November 1.

As a preventive measure, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will encourage the managers of tourist destinations and recreational parks to be disciplined in implementing health protocols (prokes) and the PeduliLindung application ahead of the 2022 Christmas and New Year holiday so that the next wave of COVID-19 will not occur.

The use of the PeduliLindung application is said to continue to be expanded in various tourist destinations, but this application is only a tool for testing (early examination), tracing (tracking), and treatment (treatment) in order to break the chain of spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The main point is to remain committed to implementing the process by all parties, both the central government, local governments, associations, managers, and visitors as well as all other elements.

“Control of health and economic growth, as in the case of opening a business, must be balanced like driving. When to step on the gas and when to step on the brakes," said Sandiaga.

The Christmas and New Year period is said to be anticipated by all ministries/agencies regarding the rules needed to prevent COVID-19. These regulations include the movement of people, tourist sites, shops, and places of worship.