Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is preparing a single narrative for the new economic order post the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said during a weekly press briefing here on Monday.

This preparation has been accompanied by expanding the visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility for foreign travelers from 42 countries compared to 23 previously, he pointed out.

"In the next few months, we will carry out this life normalization, (and we) need all support. If the upcoming Eid al-Fitr and homecoming goes smoothly, then the process will be continued, and we will further expand economic activities in the community," Uno explained.

In addition to the expansion of VoA, the Indonesian government has decided to broaden the no-quarantine policy throughout Indonesia, with only PCR tests required for entry into the country.

This policy has been applied because the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has been considered to be increasingly under control, owing to public compliance with strict and health protocols in a disciplined manner, Uno said.

Moreover, the smooth trials of the no-quarantine policy in Bali, Batam, and Bintan have also served as a reference for the government for imposing the policy throughout Indonesia, he explained.

In Bali, Batam, and Bintan, the positivity rates are noticeably low and the reproduction rates have been decreasing, according to Uno.

He also said that during Ramadan, people will be able to worship with fewer restrictions that will be adjusted to the density or crowd level in each worship house, while still applying the health protocols and getting the complete dose and booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"This is part of the new economic order that the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will actively start arranging. Some of them are tourism and creative economic activities," Uno remarked.

In the transition process, it will be necessary to prepare to face various new variants of COVID-19 that continue to emerge, he said.

"The preparations toward the post-pandemic transition are expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022," he added.

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Translator: M Alatas, Kenzu T
Editor: Sri Haryati
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