The instruction concerns ‘Improving Discipline and Law Enforcement of Health Protocols in the Prevention and Control of Corona Virus Disease 2019’.
“The presence of BIN is a representation of the state's presence in realizing safe tourism based on health protocols in the midst of this pandemic,” the Deputy of Communication and Information for BIN, Dr. Wawan Hari Purwanto, said in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.
Dr. Wawan Hari Purwanto made the remarks at a press conference after attending a discussion on ‘Guarding the Rise of Safe Bali Tourism Based on Health Protocols for Bali's Economic Recovery’, which was held at the Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel, Sanur, Denpasar, Bali on Thursday (September 10, 2020).
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He said that Bali, which relies heavily on tourism, is among the Indonesian areas that have suffered the worst economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.
BIN is also aiming to support the return of tourism growth in the country, especially Bali, with the implementation of health protocols, he added.
Domestic tourist confidence must be built through successful controlling of the rate of COVID-19 transmission by the Bali government, he stated.
Some indicators that can boost tourist confidence and encourage them to visit Bali include absence of new infection clusters at destinations and a progressively improving recovery rate, he noted.
According to Wawan, the policy to open safe Bali tourism, with the implementation of health protocols, for domestic visitors is part of efforts to revive the island’s tourism and economy.
The re-opening of Bali for domestic tourists is a form of synergy of government policies, both central and regional, he said.
Tourism in Bali needs to be re-opened selectively by implementing strict health protocols, he noted.
"This effort is being carried out considering that Bali is an icon of Indonesian and international tourism, so that tourism recovery efforts should not fail because it will have major implications for the reputation of Bali and Indonesia," he said.
According to Wawan, BIN's involvement in realizing safe tourism in Bali is based on Law Number 17 of 2011 concerning State Intelligence. As per this law, the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) is at the frontline of national security.
“In this case, BIN has an interest in maintaining and securing various national policies, including the opening of safe tourism from COVID-19 transmission by consistently implementing health protocols for the sake of economic recovery,” he explained.
For this reason, BIN has urged all parties to be optimistic and work together to face the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
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Reporter: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Sri Haryati
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