When we started to ease curbs, the Delta variant emerged. Thereafter, when the number of cases declined and we were keen to ease the entry policy into Indonesia, Omicron suddenly surfaced. It made us to continue to pull the brakesJakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly affirmed that the policy of limiting tourist visits to Indonesia hinged primarily on the extent of spread of COVID-19.
"When we started to ease curbs, the Delta variant emerged. Thereafter, when the number of cases declined and we were keen to ease the entry policy into Indonesia, Omicron suddenly surfaced. It made us to continue to pull the brakes," Laoly noted in a written statement here on Monday.
Laoly made the statement in response to requests from tourism industry players, who were keen that the government relax the policy on limiting foreign tourist arrivals to Bali, especially ahead of the G20 event in 2022.
Laoly affirmed that the government was aware of the tough policies that had to be adopted to prioritize public safety. However, on the other hand, maintaining the pace of the economy must also be taken into account.
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Hence, restrictions on foreign tourist visits were placed on the basis of the rate of spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia.
Laoly affirmed that evaluations related to policies for COVID-19 handling were always conducted on a weekly basis during a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace.
Any decisions taken on the easing of entry permits for foreign nationals must be based on discussions with the relevant ministers, he stressed.
The government is also readying steps as a precautionary measure against another spike in cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in February or March 2022.
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"All of us want to open up our borders, so the economy can bounce back," he emphasized.
However, the government is optimistic that the projection regarding the spike in cases of COVID-19 in February to March would not come true. People should not become fearful if the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads, he stressed.
Laoly also reminded all parties, especially the community, to continue to help in handling the pandemic. However, the president is paying attention and focusing on ways to end the pandemic as well as pushing the economy to grow.
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Translator: Muhammad Zulfikar, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
