IO – The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Kemenparekraf/ Barekraf) reviewed the application of health protocols in several tourist locations in Jakarta Province and around Bandung, West Java. Businesses are then encouraged to apply strict health protocols to carry out tourism activities well and productively while remaining safe from COVID-19.
Deputy for Strategic Policy of Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf, R. Kurleni Ukar, in his statement on Monday (6/29/2020) said health protocols in the tourism business as regulated in KMK Number HK.01.07/Menkes/382/2020 concerning Health Protocols for People in Place and Public Facilities in the framework of Prevention and Control of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) absolutely must be followed by all stakeholders, both tourists, businesses and their workers. So strict monitoring and evaluation are a must.
Together with the Department of Tourism and Creative Economy of Jakarta Province and the Office of Tourism and Culture of West Java Province, Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf for a week yesterday conducted a field review of the application of health protocols in some tourist sites in the Province of Jakarta and around Bandung, West Java. “From the results of monitoring in the field, the managers of tourist attractions have implemented health protocol quite well, but the discipline of visitors in following the protocol still needs to be improved,” said Kurleni Ukar.
Standard procedures such as measuring body temperature, providing hand sanitizers in various places, using masks, and cleaning with disinfectants regularly have been carried out. Appeals regarding health protocols and COVID-19 have been placed at several points and regularly socialized through loudspeakers in the locations. Inflows and outflows, visiting hours, and the number of visitors are also regulated so there is no build-up at tourist sites.
Specifically, in West Java Province, visitor capacity is limited to a maximum of 30 to 50 percent. Employees on duty are also certain to be healthy and equipped with personal protective equipment such as face shields, masks, and gloves.
Online ticket sales and cashless payment systems are also available. However, not all tourists are prepared for this, so that socialization efforts to adapt to this habit will continue in the future. “We also convey some suggestions for improvement to the site managers. Socialization, monitoring, and evaluation need to be continued,” said Kurleni Ukar.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Wishnutama Kusubandio, said the readiness of the region, industry players, and the community of each region is very important in implementing health protocols to bring good for the surrounding community. “Do not let an increase in new cases. Because improving the protocol can be in one or two days only, but gaining the trust of tourists takes a long time,” Wishnutama said.
Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf has also compiled a Cleanliness, Health, and Safety (CHS) protocol, among others in the form of educational videos and handbooks aimed at tourism businesses. It is hoped that local governments can continue to monitor and evaluate their application.
“Tourism is a business that is very dependent on the trust of domestic and international tourists. Improving protocols can be done quickly, but rebuilding trust takes a long time. Therefore, strict supervision is needed in implementing the health protocol,” he said.