TEMPO.CO, Kupang - Komodo National Park management announced via a circular letter that its tourist sites remain off-limits following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We previously issued a circular note in March and is valid until today. But we have decided to prolong it (the park’s temporary closure),” said the management head Lukita Awang Nistyantara in Kupang, Friday, May 29.

The extension period is stipulated in a circular issued on Thursday, May 28, No. PG.466/T.17/TU/REN/05/2020.

Lukita claimed his side is unsure when the natural tourism area will be reopened considering the pandemic has not shown signs of its ending yet. “Until further notice,” he added.

Therefore, the temporary closure and the reopening will be evaluated by related ministries and regional administration.

“We have not known yet until when it will be closed because there is no official statement issued by the authority regarding the reopening of the area thus far,” Lukita remarked.

He ensured that the closure extension period aimed at protecting healthcare workers and the public from the spread of coronavirus disease in the area, adding that the decision followed directions of regional heads and the region’s Covid-19 handling task force.

In addition, Lukita mentioned that during the temporary closure of the Komodo National Park, cruise ships with a large capacity of passengers are barred from entering the park’s areas until an undetermined time.

ANTARA