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THE increase in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia is still relatively high, where DKI Jakarta is still the center of the highest distribution of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia. Total large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) to Transitional PSBB have been carried out, however, public awareness of the dangers of spreading the COVID-19 virus is still very low.
According to Hariyadi B Sukamdani as the Chairperson of the VIWI Board of Movers, the various mass gathering activities looked massive but there were no clear sanctions for these incidents. On the one hand, in particular the tourism service sector and those related to it have complied with all applicable protocols and regulations in order to reduce the rate of spread of the virus.
In a combined (physical and virtual) press conference session held in Jakarta (16/11), the Visit Wonderful Indonesia (VIWI) Board emphasized that the tourism business sector was the sector most affected by the pandemic, due to the prohibition of traveling, gathering and carrying out large activities.
“The business sector has been severely hit by the Total PSBB and Transitional PSBB due to restrictions activities that result in a decrease in people’s interest and purchasing power, which of course ends the decrease in industrial sector income as well as local taxes,” he said.
He said that the business sector had to survive by not laying off employees, covering business overheads, bearing “new normal costs”, and restructuring finances to survive a prolonged pandemic.
“Unfortunately, this difficult business condition is not accompanied by public awareness through mass gathering activities in the midst of the ongoing pandemic. They have ignored protocols and have not heeded restrictions,” Hariyadi Sukamdani noted.
He added that in response to the worsening business conditions, the Visit Wonderful Indonesia (VIWI) Board as an association of 18 national tourism industry associations took a stand by asking the Governor of DKI Jakarta to revoke the Transitional PSBB in DKI Jakarta, and not to impose restrictions on visitors and business operating hours.
The business sector has been obedient, compliant and ready with the New Normal Health protocol. As a sector that contributes to the Government through taxes, it can be given relaxation to do business. Apart from that, the VIWI Board also requested that the Governor of DKI Jakarta no longer impose the PSBB.
“VIWI Board also states that the associations are members of the VIWI Board committed to implementing 3M’s Health protocol (Using Masks, Washing Hands, Maintain distance) for the sake of public health,” he affirmed.
This prohibition is certainly effective if all parties are aware of the importance of carrying out health protocols in a disciplined manner as well as carrying out strict law enforcement so that there is no increase in cases due to allowing people to be free to carry out large activities.
“We, from the business sector, are ready with the Health protocol according to Health and industry regulations. Starting from hotels, restaurants, malls, amusement parks, land transportation, airlines, tour operators, and travel agents, everything is ready. We anticipate everything that will allow the spread of COVID-19,” he added.
Hariyadi B Sukamdani emphasized, although not all provinces, cities, districts in Indonesia apply the PSBB, but DKI Jakarta remains a parameter of the national economy, this is felt by our members in various provinces in Indonesia, therefore we consider PSBB whatever its form has ended gradually de facto. [traveltext.id]
