TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police spokesperson, Inspector General Argo Yuwono announced that the Indonesian military (TNI) and police (Polri) will mobilize personnel to secure and discipline members of the public that do not abide by COVID-19 health protocols in tourist sites.

“The TNI and Polri will help the COVID-19 task force to oversee and educate the public so that they spend their vacation still abiding by the standard health protocol,” said Argo Yuwono in Tuesday's official statement, June 23.

The police inspector assures that they will not use law enforcement and would instead use preventive and persuasive approaches. Argo Yuwono said the tourism industry is a significant contributor in creating job opportunities, attracting investments, and stimulating nearly every other sector.

“It is our job to convince domestic and international tourists to visit again without being frightened by the spread of COVID-19,” said Argo Yuwono.

Reported previously, head of the COVID-19 task force Doni Monardo supports the plan to gradually open a number of tourist destinations, starting from those that are based on ecotourism and conservations as those pose the least risk for COVID-19 spread.

ANDITA RAHMA