TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Banyumas government, Central Java, announced its plan to shut down several tourist destinations in an effort to suppress COVID-19 transmission.

“The tourist sites will be closed gradually, either owned by the government or private companies,” said Regent Achmad Husein while leading today’s coordination meeting on the coronavirus mitigation at Pendopo Sipanji Purwokerto.

According to Husein, the closure sought to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in the regency, which was recently increasing and still uncontrollable.

The regency administration would also monitor each site that potentially attracted large crowds. “We will not close all the sites at once, but gradually. Perhaps, the outdoor ones will be the last [to be closed],” Husein added.

On another occasion, Deputy Regent Sadewo Tri Lastiono claimed tourist destinations managed by the regional government applied the health protocols. “Even if there will be closures, they will be done gradually. Otherwise, the economy will be crippled again,” he said.

The regency’s Tourism, Sport, and Culture Agency Head, Asis Kusumandani, said 25 tourist destinations in the regency had been reopened under strict health protocols following months-long closure in times of the pandemic.

“Banyumas has around 109 tourist sites, but only 25 of them are reopened under the adaptation to the new habits scheme,” he said.

Read: Ahead of Year-end Holiday, Tourism Ministry Asked to Prep Alternate Tourist Sites

ANTARA