Tweeting about how to stay in Bali during COVID-19, Kristen Gray was deported. (Image via Indozone)

Sandiaga Uno: In Indonesia, do as Indonesians do

Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, gave his comment on the misdeed of an American tourist, Kristen Gray, who recently rose up to fame in social media.

Through her tweets, Gray invited all foreigners, especially the LGBTQ people, to stay in Bali during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and gave a list of her own recommended agents to smooth their way up. Not only tweets but also Gray published a US$30 e-book on how to live in Bali with just US$50. According to the Head of Bali's Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regional Office, Jamaruli Manihuruk on Tuesday, Gray was found distributing unsettling information, about Bali as a "safe haven" for LGBTQ+, and ease of access to Bali during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gray's tweets violated the Circular of COVID-19 Taskforce No. 2 of 2021 on Health Protocol for International Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Circular of Directorate General of Immigration No. IMI-0103.GR.01.01 on Temporary Prohibition of Entry to the Territory of the Republic of Indonesia for Foreigner during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As the result, Gray was deported from Bali.

Commenting on the incident on Wednesday, Sandiaga ensures that all tourists visiting Indonesia, both domestic and foreign, have to adhere to the Indonesian laws and COVID-19 health protocols. Comparing it to Gray, Sandiaga stated that about 80 percent of expatriates in Indonesia are working in Bali.

While he welcomed the idea to help Bali's slumping economy blown away by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandiaga also warned that the COVID-19 health protocols must be enforced still. Moreover, the former deputy governor of Jakarta also asked the Indonesian people to be selective with information circulating on social media.

Sandiaga appreciated Bali as an Indonesia-owned world-class tourist destination. He also hoped that the tourism sector in Bali will recover as soon as possible.

Source: https://bit.ly/3qDuitk