(We have) perceived an uptrend in the number of year-end holidaymakers. This must be controlled, so as not to add the number of people exposed to COVID-19.
Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA) - Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan made a serious and urgent request to all sides to curtail a potential spike in the number of people exposed to COVID-19 during the year-end holidays.

"(We have) perceived an uptrend in the number of year-end holidaymakers. This must be controlled so as not to add (to the count of) people exposed to COVID-19," the minister noted after attending the Indonesia-China Tourism and Investment Forum for five Key Super-Priority Tourism Destinations on Friday.

The uptrend in the number of year-end vacationers is apparent from the frequency of flights at the Silangit Airport in North Tapanuli, North Sumatra.

Panjaitan noted that domestic tourists hold huge potential to support national tourism, especially in lthe wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to a shortfall in foreign tourist arrivals.

"However, all must exercise self-restraint in (keeping with) the interests of the nation. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all aspects (of our lives), including the economy, thereby reducing the people's welfare," he remarked.

All people should follow health protocols, including wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining physical distancing while venturing outdoors, he noted. On Friday, Indonesia reported 6,689 new COVID-19 cases over a 24-hour period, thereby bringing the total case tally to 650,197 since the country announced its first infections on March 2, 2020.

According to data from the National Task Force for COVID-19 Handling, the number of recoveries rose by 5,016 in the 24-hour period, taking the total count of patients recovering from the virus to 531,995.

The country also reported 124 fatalities across the nation, which brought the death toll to 19,514.

Related news: All Indonesians to have access to COVID-19 vaccine: Widodo
Related news: Jokowi hopes all Indonesians to be willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine


Translator: Evalisa Siregar/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2020