"We are optimistic of the target being achieved after observing the high participation rate of local traders," Badung District Deputy Head I Ketut Suiasa stated here on Monday.
Enthusiasm to receive the shot was palpable among traders at several traditional markets, including in the customary villages of Sempidi and Dalung, according to Suiasa.
The district administration has praised the high level of participation among merchants since it would facilitate the government's endeavors to thwart the rate of transmission of the virus, the Badung district deputy head stated.
The Badung district health office confirmed the vaccination of over seven thousand frontline public sector workers as of Monday.
"We urge the people at large to be willing to get vaccinated since receiving the COVID-19 vaccine jab is safe," Head of the Badung Health Office I Nyoman Gunarta stated.
Related news: Traditional market traders in Bali's Badung district get vaccinated
Indonesia's Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno had recently highlighted the importance of the vaccination program in Bali to breathe new life into the island's tourism sector.
At his meeting with Bali Governor Wayan Koster on February 11, Uno emphasized that vaccinating 1.2 million workers in Bali's tourism sector will increase public trust in the world's most popular tourist destination.
"We pray for immediate recovery of Bali’s tourism. If the tourism sector were to be revived, the economy would get back on track. Bali has always been an intrinsic part of Indonesia's tourism," he affirmed.
Indonesia has been endeavoring to address the COVID-19 pandemic since the government officially announced the country's first confirmed cases on March 2, 2020.
In winning its fight against the coronavirus disease, it has launched a national vaccination program.
The Health Ministry pegged the vaccination of some 181.5 million people under the vaccination program to take 15 months.
Related news: Over 2.41 million Indonesians get first vaccine dose
Indonesia's COVID-19 infection rate has exceeded one million cases since January 26, 2021.
To attain herd immunity and free the nation from the clutches of the pandemic, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has attached due weightage to successfully administering the COVID-19 vaccine to the targeted population.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease has dragged Indonesia into serious public health and economic crises.
Tourism has been among the severely impacted economic sectors in the country, and Bali tourism has borne the brunt of the pandemic. (INE)
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Translator: Naufal FY, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
