Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy and former Deputy Governor of Jakarta, Sandiaga S. Uno. (Image via CNN Indonesia)

Sandiaga: We'll build COVID-19 vaccine centers in tourist villages

Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, stated that one of the requirements in national tourism and creative economy recovery is controlling the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Speaking on Monday through an official statement, the former Deputy Governor of Jakarta stated that the Ministry has been collaborating with parties to establish COVID-19 vaccination centers in tourist destinations. Not only major tourist destinations but Sandiaga also aims to establish centers in tourist villages throughout Indonesia.

According to Sandiaga, the establishment of COVID-19 vaccination centers in tourist villages is expected to assist in mass COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Bali as the initial stage. Bali is chosen as an example of COVID-19 vaccination for the tourism and creative economy industry. In Bali, Sandiaga tabulated that there are more than 100,000 business players ready to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and hundreds of thousands more that are currently on the waiting list.

Furthermore, Sandiaga stated that in order to accelerate the goal, the Ministry is collaborating with all parties involved, starting with hotels, restaurants, and tourist villages. Therefore, the COVID-19 vaccination centers may be established evenly in all tourist destinations.

On the other hand, Sandiaga stated that the discussion of Indonesia's green zone is currently being held with the Ministry and all involved agencies. The Minister wanted to start with Nusa Dua and Ubud in Bali before taking the plan outside Bali, such as Bintan and Batam. If agreed, next the green zone concept will be submitted to the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), to be ratified.

Source: https://bit.ly/3qNf70b