Jokowi Opens Doors for Chinese Tourists as Immunity Rate Hits 98.5

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said that the country has opened its doors to foreign tourists, including China which recently experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases. Jokowi made the statement after reviewing the renovation of homestays in Bunaken tourism area, North Sulawesi.

"We are open to tourists from anywhere. But we see that most of them are from China. What’s important is [the implementation of] the health protocol," said the President as broadcasted on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube channel on Friday, January 20, 2023

Jokowi said China that has tightened access for its citizens to depart for other countries. This, Jokowi argued, guaranteed that tourists from the country are healthy.

In addition, Jokowi said that in early February 2023, Chinese tourists will flock to Manado, North Sulawesi, especially Bunaken.

"So we don't need to worry. Our immunity rate is already at 98.5 percent," Jokowi ensured.

Previously, China's Chief Epidemiologist Wu Zunyou said the country is in the first of an expected three waves of COVID-19 cases this winter. The number of positive infections was predicted to see another spike following the homecoming tradition for Chinese New Year celebrations which will fall next month.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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