TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo planned to gradually reopen the economic sector, especially tourism in Bali once the spread of Covid-19 started to slow down and be fully contained.

“If Covid-19 transmission plummets then disappears, we will start reopening the economic activities, especially tourism sector in Bali province with stages that will be designed by the provincial, regency, city, and central governments so that the condition in Bali will return to normal,” said the President via a YouTube channel of the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday, March 16.

He made the statement today while monitoring the vaccination in Gianyar, Bali. He also appreciated several Bali regions that have been classified as Covid-19 green zones, namely Ubud, Sanur, and Nusa Dua.

Widodo hoped the province’s efforts in containing the pandemic could be a model for other provinces and cities to follow. “We hope Bali can immediately revive should the vaccination be held every day,” he added.

Other than Gianyar, the President would also monitor the vaccination in Denpasar which targeted tourism workers.

Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno on March 15 during the Tempo Instagram Live program said the decision to reopen tourism for foreign tourists was in the hands of President Jokowi. He added that the government is still finalizing its mechanisms at the ministerial and institutional level.

Read: Health Minister Supports 3 Bali Regions Set as Covid-free Destinations

BISNIS | FRANCISCA CHRISTY