The transportation sector recorded a slump in the early stage of the pandemic in Indonesia, and this has impacted other sectors, such as logistics and tourismJakarta (ANTARA) - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi highlighted that implementing health protocols is the key for survival of transportation operators during the economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
"The transportation sector recorded a slump in the early stage of the pandemic in Indonesia, and this has impacted other sectors, such as logistics and tourism," Sumadi remarked during a webinar on new normalcy in the transportation sector here on Tuesday.
The minister pointed to concerns over the deadly virus transmission having direly hit the transportation sector owing to a 50-percent drop in the number of passengers, and some companies going bankrupt.
Sumadi affirmed that a slump in air transportation occurred not only in Indonesia but also globally in the first quarter of the year, although it had gradually recovered in the third quarter.
Some airlines have faced financial difficulties, with some of them going bankrupt. "Take the example of Virgin Australia, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, and Thai Airways that have also faced a similar condition that compelled them to reduce or suspend operations," he stated.
A collapse in the transportation sector has impacted the logistics sector that was highly dependent on transportation.
Indonesia’s transportation sector has recorded a gradual recovery by implementing health protocols to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
"I will not stop calling on all stakeholders in the transportation sector to implement health protocols, so that it would not decline again," he stated.
The recovery of the transportation sector has also been followed by the reopening of tourist destinations, such as Bali, although the number of tourist visits to the resort island has yet to return to normalcy.
Sumadi expressed optimism that the transportation sector would fully recover with the support of all stakeholders to apply health protocols.
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Translator: Ahmad W, Sri Haryati
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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