Jokowi Assures COVID-19 Pandemic Will Be Over by Year's End

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Jokowi is optimistic that the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia will be resolved by the end of 2020, which will be followed by an economic boom, especially in the tourism sector, in the year after.

"I believe this will only be until the end of the year. Next year, there will be an (economic) boom in the field of tourism," he said via video conference when opening the COVID-19 mitigation meeting in tourism and the creative economy, on Thursday, April 16, 2020.

Currently, the government is appealing to the Indonesian people to remain and conduct their activities at home. On top of that, travel restrictions have also been put in place, in order to curb the coronavirus pandemic. As a result of the current condition, the president continued, the people will be motivated to relieve their thirst for traveling. 

Once the pandemic is over, Jokowi reassured that the people will be looking to enjoy the beauty of Indonesia again. He also asked businesses in tourism and the creative economy to remain optimistic.

"Optimism must be raised. We can not be trapped in pessimism because of the current COVID-19 outbreak. (If we are pessimistic,) the economic boom that will emerge after the pandemic is over, cannot be capitalized properly," Widodo said optimistically.

Jokowi has also asked the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Wishnutama, to provide economic stimulus for businesses in the tourism sector and the creative economy, in order to ensure that businesses will survive and avoid massive layoffs.

EGI ADYATAMA | Translator: DIO SUHENDA (Intern)