TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio has decided to postpone the stimulus provision on the tourism sector following two confirmed cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Indonesia. He said the program will be resumed when the crisis starts to ease.

“We will perhaps resume it in the second semester or when the virus crisis eases,” said Tama, as the minister familiarly called, to Tempo on Monday, March 2.

Besides, he ensured the ministry was continuously monitoring the case developments. The government, he added, was focusing on the treatment and anticipation in a bid to avert the virus infection from increasingly widespread.

Nevertheless, Tama suggested tourists visit destinations that are safe from virus exposure and appealed to all to be aware of health aspects when traveling, such as keeping personal hygiene, washing hands regularly, maintaining the immunity system, and complying with rules by the local government.

“Do not forget to keep updating information about referral hospitals around tourism destinations,” the minister asserted.

Wishnutama stated that his ministry has standard operating procedures to carry out mitigation measures of international standards and is coordinating with the Ministry of Health to monitor the development of the virus spread, especially in tourist destinations.

Previously reported, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo confirmed on Monday, March 2 the first two cases of COVID-19 in Indonesia. However, he believed the tourism incentives of Rp298 billion will not increase the potential spread of the new coronavirus.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | BISNIS