TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin supported the Bali Provincial Government in preparing its three regions as tourist destinations that are free of Covid-19. Later, domestic and international travelers will be allowed to visit these regions.

The three regions are Ubud in Gianyar Regency, Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) area in Nusa Dua of Badung Regency, and Sanur in Denpasar City.

Budi viewed that this is an important step to revive Bali tourism in the international world. To emphasize that the island is a safe and healthy place to travel to, the minister asserted the importance of doing collaborations with international institutions. But this must be supported with tight health measures.

“We’ll show that we can, so the world is optimistic that Bali is ready to be a safe destination. I believe we can,” said Budi in the ministry’s official statement on Saturday, March 13.

He, therefore, asked for the Covid-19 vaccination in the province to soon be administered in order to immediately help recover the economy. “I hope we can start [the vaccination] in March,” said Minister Budi.

Besides, he emphasized the monitoring of people and transportation’s mobility, massive implementation of 3T (testing, tracing, treatment) based on WHO standard, and the availability of the infrastructure such as hospitals or good PCR labs.

To realize the Covid-free – as well as healthy and sophisticated – destinations, on the Island of the Gods, Budi asserted the importance of sectoral collaboration, including by involving private parties.

Bali Governor I Wayan Koster seconded Health Minister’s statement, hoping the plan will soon be realized and Bali tourism will return to normal. “If we did it, we’ll go on to other regions,” Wayan added.

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DEWI NURITA