TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani lamented the government policy which obliged tourists heading to Bali for year-end holidays to present negative PCR test results in an effort to curb Covid-19 spread.

“Talking about the testing, there are many test methods, such as rapid test, swab antigen test, and PCR. [The government] should have decided on an option that is not burdensome for the people. We all know that PCR costs Rp900,000 at the cheapest, and the result is out within three days at maximum,” said Hariyadi to Bisnis on Wednesday, December 16.

He explained that many tourists have planned their trips to Dewata Island, and not a few of them have requested a ticket refund following the travel requirement.

“Until yesterday evening (Tuesday, Dec. 15), there are 133,000 pax requests for refunds. This is a ten-times hike compared to the normal situation,” Hariyadi added.

As a result, the financial loss reached Rp317 billion, which also affected the province's economy up to Rp967 billion.

Hariyadi said that business players would always support the government's measures in tackling Covid-19. However, he lamented that this time the government took the decision unilaterally.

As previously reported, Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan announced that the government obliged domestic flight passengers heading to Bali for the Christmas and New Year holidays to carry negative results of PCR test.

Also Read: Cost for PCR Swab Tests at Soekarno-Hatta Airport

BISNIS