TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park in Bali will be temporarily closed from February 1, 2021 to curb the risk of COVID-19 transmission, with the increased number of visitors.

"The decision was taken as our support to the government's policy to stop the COVID-19 transmission, especially in Bali Province," GM Marketing Communication & Event GWK Cultural Park, Andre Prawiradisastra said on Sunday.

Previously, the popular tourist destination was closed when the pandemic gripped the country in March and was only reopened in early December 2020.

Prawiradisastra said the cultural park's management paid serious concern on the efforts to stop the spreading of the coronavirus.

"The decision to close the park has considered the fact that the increased number of visitors has, at the same time, increased the risk of COVID-19 transmission," he stated.

The park closure, he added, would also protect its workers from being infected with the virus.

Meanwhile the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said the decision to close GWK Cultural Park is a synergy to curb the COVID-19 transmission.

"Once we can lower the COVID-19 curve, we will give adequate time for them to prepare for reopening (of the tourist destination)," he said.

The minister would work in coordination with Bali Province and Badung District administrations on the closure of GWK Cultural Park.

"I will surely coordinate with the provincial and district governments, because GWK is a popular destination visited by up to 5,000 tourists per day," Sandiaga Uno said.

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