TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno asserted that the 2022 Mandalika MotoGP in Lombok international circuit must go on. But he said that it would be under the travel bubble scheme which applies to all parties, including crews, racers, and officials involved in the event.

"So, we have conveyed that the show must go on by preparing the travel bubble policy as the best practice that has been done for the crews and racers in previous similar events," the minister said in a press release on Thursday, Jan. 20, in Jakarta.

According to Sandiaga, there is no special treatment for the racers, crews, or officials that would be participated in the world-class racing event. "Everyone coming from abroad will follow the travel bubble scheme," he remarked.

The travel bubble program had been tested in the preparation of the G20 event in Bali and Jakarta in December last year, as well as in the World Superbike (WSBK) 2021. The racers and crews were placed in a private location where they did not directly interact with other parties.

The health protocol would even be stricter as an effort to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.

“This is also guidance from President (Joko Widodo). I believe everyone will hold hands together to prepare and make sure that the MotoGP event is the sign for the world that we are ready for upcoming international events, such as G20 and other international conferences,” he explained.

Sandiaga said that MotoGP local management had coordinated with the Health Ministry, through the Covid-19 Task Force, regarding the travel bubble scheme for this event.
He added that the Covid control in Indonesia had been admitted as one of the best practices in the world.

“We definitely have to maintain [the achievement of Covid-19 control]. And this is what we must convey that there is the travel bubble policy, which in 1x24 hours all crews, racers, and officials will follow this scheme starting from their arrivals at the airport until they arrive in the hotel after they PCR tested, which is set based on the Health Ministry regulation,” said Sandiaga Uno.

The minister is optimistic that MotoGP will contribute significantly to the local and national economy for about 3-4 times higher than during the World Superbike WSBK event last year.

Read: Indonesia Responds to MotoGP Boss' Stand Against Quarantine

Antara