Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently exchanged Eid al-Fitr greetings and discussed COVID-19 response over phone, said Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi.

"During the phone call, President Joko Widodo and President Erdogan exchanged greetings on Eid Fitr," Minister Retno said at a press conference here on Thursday.

The Foreign Minister said the two leaders also exchanged views on the implementation of the new normal and keeping the community productive, but safe from the novel coronavirus disease.

"The two also discussed economic recovery efforts and stressed the importance of future cooperation to resolve this (COVID-19) issue,” she added.

The Indonesian government is currently preparing to implement a new normal order in a number of areas that have low COVID-19 transmission rates.

Under the new normal, people would be allowed to carry out normal activities, but will be required to adhere to strict health protocols, such as maintaining a safe distance, wearing masks, and washing hands frequently.

Initially, the new normal will be implemented in 25 districts in four provinces. It will also be introduced in certain sectors, including tourism.

President Jokowi has highlighted the need for tourism operators in Indonesia to give greater attention to domestic tourists, post the government’s implementation of a new normal in the tourism sector.

"I think we should first focus on domestic tourists," Jokowi noted during a limited virtual meeting at the Merdeka Palace on Thursday.

Jokowi has also directed that regions or tourist destination areas with a relatively low rate of COVID-19 transmission be identified ahead of implementing the new normal,. (INE)

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