We must fight against the coronavirus disease together by going ahead with the vaccination program and consistently practicing the health protocolsJakarta (ANTARA) - Administering vaccination to cultural and art workers will expedite Indonesia's endeavors to usher in recovery of its creative economy sector as it is a notable contributor to the economy, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno stated.
"We are optimistic of maintaining the sector's contribution to Indonesia's economy," Uno informed journalists in Jakarta on Monday.
The sector contributed Rp1,100 trillion to the national economy, thereby driving Indonesia’s ranking as the third-biggest contributor to the world's gross domestic product after the United States and South Korea, according to the minister.
Uno conversed with the local journalists while accompanying President Joko Widodo to witness a vaccination program for some 500 art and cultural workers in Jakarta's greater areas.
The minister hinted at opportunities being rife for Indonesia's creative economy sector to get back on track if the COVID-19 infection rate were to be reduced and controlled optimally.
"We must fight against the coronavirus disease together by going ahead with the vaccination program and consistently practicing the health protocols," he emphasized.
Some 500 art and cultural workers hailing from Jakarta and its satellite cities were administered their first shots of the COVID-19 vaccine at the National Gallery of Indonesia on Monday.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan also accompanied the head of state at the event. Enthusiasm was palpable among the participating artists, comprising members of the Javanese theatre Bharata 'Wayang Orang' and members of the musical group Bimbo.
Indonesia has been striving to win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic since March last year.
To stem the transmission of the lethal virus, the government has rolled out a nationwide vaccination program since January 13 this year.
The Health Ministry pegs the vaccination of 181.5 million people under the national program to take 15 months.
The time frame for conducting the vaccination extends from January 2021 to March 2022.
During the period, the government is targeting to inoculate some 181.5 million people, comprising 1.3 million paramedics and 17.4 million public sector workers in 34 provinces.
The first phase of the government's immunization program is segregated into two periods: January-April 2021 and April 2021-March 2022.
As of April 17, 2021, the number of COVID-19 vaccine recipients had reached 10,801,244, according to data from the Task Force for COVID-19 Handling.
Even amid vaccine rollouts, Indonesia has been grappling from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic that has crippled nations across the globe.
Indonesia’s public health and economy have been dealt a major blow from the coronavirus disease crisis, with some sectors, including travel and tourism, been battered by the pandemic.
To revive the tourism sector, the Indonesian government is eyeing to apply a travel bubble scheme with some countries.
In the first stage of its implementation, the Indonesia-Singapore travel corridor will officially open to enable travel for people between Singapore and Bintan, Riau Islands.
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Translator: Desca LN, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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