TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-Owned Enterprises or SOE Minister Erick Thohir would ask flag carrier Garuda Indonesia and low-cost carrier Citilink Indonesia to increase the flight frequency to Bali following a request from the Provincial Government ahead of the reopening of tourism to foreign tourists.

“I’ll check Garuda and Citilink to ensure their support for Bali tourism. The Governor [of Bali] said that flights must be added and so we’ll try to execute it,” Erick said in a video published by the ministry on Tuesday night, October 5.

The government decided to reopen Bali tourism to foreign travelers from South Korea, China, Japan, United Arab Emirates, and New Zealand, on October 14, 2021.

Erick added that his side would also ensure the readiness of Ngurah Rai International Airport. According to him, strict supervision is necessary to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

“In the handling of COVID-19, not everything can be 100 percent protected. Discipline must be prioritized,” Erick opined.

Besides the airport and aviation, the minister said the reopening of Bali must begin with the readiness of the community, including in terms of their health condition.

Erick Thohir further hoped that the reopening of Bali tourism would revive the economy of the island which was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read: Minister Erick Thohir Urges SOEs to Go Public

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA