TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Wishnutama Kusubandio revealed that Bali is one of the tourist destinations that potential to open during the new normal.

“Based on reports from the (COVID-19) Task Force, Bali is one of the provinces with excellent handling of COVID-19, but we have to coordinate with the respective regional heads,” Wishnu said via teleconference today, on Thursday, May 28, 2020.

The government, explained the minister, continues to identify tourist destinations with a Basic Reproductive Number (R0) below 1.

Meanwhile, the government is currently preparing the new normal's health protocols and promotion strategies for tourism.

“I have coordinated with Garuda Indonesia to prepare various packages, as well as (coordinated) with tourist hotels at very attractive prices," Wishnutama said.

Previously, President Joko Widodo had called for strict health protocol standards, massive socialization, as well as trials and simulations to be carried out starting from now, in anticipation of opening the tourism sector.

"Because this is a big risk. Once there is an imported case, followed by health impacts; then (Indonesian) tourism will have a bad image, which will be difficult for us to fix," Jokowi said in a limited teleconference meeting, from the Merdeka Palace, today.

DEWI NURITA | Translator: DIO SUHENDA (Intern)