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THE Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster said on behalf of the Provincial Government of Bali we appreciate the special attention given by the central government through a number of ministries towards the recovery of Bali’s tourism which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Astungkara (by God’s permission) our handling in Bali is getting better, and the recovery rate is getting higher. I admit that Bali is very much affected by the COVID-19 pandemic because of its status as a world-class tourist destination. It is appropriate for special attention to accelerate Bali’s recovery,” he said.
He also revealed that President Joko Widodo in his direction on July 15, 2020 at the Bogor Palace, explicitly asked the governors to take steps to accelerate post-COVID-19 economic recovery, in addition to improving the handling and healing of patients.
According to him, Bali took a number of recovery steps that began with a noetic (spiritual) with the Pemahayu Jagad ceremony at Besakih Temple on July 5. Then the next stage is the first stage for economic recovery which starts with the opening of community activities except the education sector on 9 July.
Followed by the second stage on July 31 with the opening of the domestic tourism door and will be followed by the third stage with the opening of international tourism on 11 September.
“The steps taken by the Governor were stated to provide a sense of security and comfort for the community to be able to move and remain productive during the pandemic, as well as preparing themselves for the reopening of tourism,” Koster NOTED.
He added, I also invited the Ministry to carry out its activities in Bali. This is important as an effort to restore Bali as a tourist destination and contribute to foreign exchange for Indonesia.
Meanwhile Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, expects central government support such as providing “soft loans” or soft loans for Bali tourism practitioners. This will really help us in facing and starting tourism again in Bali.
A number of ministers on the occasion gave a message and hope that the Balinese economy will rise again from adversity after the impact of COVID-19 through a video recording titled Bangkit Bali.
Likewise the Minister of National Development Planning, Suharso Monoarfa, expressed his concern over the condition of Bali’s tourism which was hit hard enough due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decline in tourist contractions to Bali reached 82.8%. Because it becomes important to restore Bali.
“For that reason, our party will be present directly on the Island of the Gods to take quick steps in recovering the economic conditions of Bali. We will be present in various sectors, various major projects and discuss directly with the Governor for the next step,” Monoarfa concluded. [antaranews]
