Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, responds positively to the Emergency Public Activity Restriction (PPKM) Java and Bali, that takes place on 3-20 July 2021.
An Emergency Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM Darurat) was asserted publicly by the Coordinating Minister, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on July 1, 2021. The regulations of Emergency PPKM Java and Bali apply to 48 regencies or cities with an assessment of the pandemic situation at level 4. This also includes 74 regencies or municipalities with an evaluation of the pandemic situation at level 3. In response to this, Minister Sandiaga fully supports the government's decision and commands to temporarily close all tourism destinations and creative economy centers.
In a Friday (2/7) statement, Sandiaga Uno instructed all stakeholders in 13 sub-sector of tourism and 17 sub-sector of the creative economy to comply with the Emergency PPKM in Java and Bali. He believes the policy is to ensure the health and safety of Indonesian citizens and firmly complies with its regulations.
"We have to entirely support the preventive measures of COVID-19. Hence, starting from 3—27 July, we instruct all stakeholders in 13 sub-sector of tourism and 17 sub-sector of the creative economy under our ministry to comply with the emergency PPKM," said the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, stated.
Other economic recovery programs, including Work from Bali, Bali Reactivation, Vaccine Tourism in Bali, Travel Corridor Arrangements, and several events, will be postponed due to the current policy. Sandiaga Uno states that the postponement decision will be adjusted following the current situation and regulations.
However, he hopes that these programs will soon progress once the situation and conditions shift. The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, anticipates to reactivate tourist destinations in Bali, giving the example of three conditions that could influence a reactivation: 1) 70%-80% COVID-19 vaccination increase, 2) completion of end-to-end CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability) health protocols, and 3) less than 100 new COVID-19 cases.
The Minister added that he also accepted the government's decision to continue to open borders of land, sea, and air with strict requirements to ensure domestic travelers are monitored accordingly. This is in order to limit the number of COVD-19 transmissions.
In addition, an acceleration of tourism grant distribution will be given to actors in the tourism and creative economy sector. Sandiaga Uno states that 3.4 million Indonesians depend their livelihoods on the tourism and creative economy sector and will continue to support an acceleration of tourism grant distribution, which includes government incentives and other social benefits.
As a mandate from President Joko Widodo, these tourism grant distributions must be processed swiftly, in order for those actors dependent on the tourism and creative economy sector to be able to receive these aid and social benefits. It is expected that these grants will be distributed among tourism and economy actors within the next two to three months.
By distributing these grants, it is hoped that tourism and the creative economy in Indonesia will be able to persevere in these dire conditions.
Sandiaga Uno also stated that the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is going to help forth digitalization in tourism and the creative economy. However, this extends more than just increasing digital sales but also creating creative online content.
"We hope that these contents will restore a better prepared state for us in the post-pandemic period," stated the Minister.
The Minister also instructed all actors of tourism and creative economy stakeholders to follow the emergency PPKM regulations. He hopes it will assist in controlling the spread of COVID-19.
Sandiaga Uno urged everyone to strictly follow the health protocols in order to protect themselves and others. This means always wearing a mask when outside, maintaining physical distance, washing their hands, avoiding crowds, reducing mobility, and avoiding eating out in groups.
