"We welcome the discourse of opening the tourism industry after Surabaya's PPKM was reduced from level 3 to level 2 of the PPKM based on the Health Ministry's regulation," Secretary of Committee A of the Surabaya City Legislative Council (DPRD) Budi Leksono stated on Friday.
The Surabaya government should immediately open the tourism industry in a bid to usher in economic recovery, Leksono noted. He also urged the city government to not be selective in the discourse of opening the tourism sector, including the RHU permit.
"Please do not only open select tourism places. Do not open this one, then close the others, as we are aiming for economic recovery," he emphasized.
However, strict compliance to health protocols is mandatory, and all RHU sectors must necessitate prospective visitors to undergo a rapid antigen test as a precautionary measure against the surfacing of new clusters.
"This is all solely to protect those who work at RHU," he noted.
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Leksono is optimistic that all parties would respect the rules of the government laid out following a comprehensive study.
Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi had earlier reminded the public to not become careless despite the PPKM level in the city having dropped to level 2. The number of COVID-19 cases can possibly spike again if people disregard complying with health protocols.
"Never be careless. If we return to level 3 or 4 of PPKM, we return to the red zone, then the economy will come to a halt and so also education," he cautioned.
Cahyadi believes that the city residents play a major role in maintaining or reducing the number of COVID-19 cases. This includes being able to reach the green zone and level 0. Cooperation among all existing elements is deemed crucial for achieving this goal.
"This is because mutual cooperation between the government and all people of Surabaya is deemed necessary to handle the number of COVID-19 cases in the city," he added.
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Translator: Abdul Hakim, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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