By: Raavi Ramadhan) *
Gradually the government has opened tourist attractions in order to roll back the economy in the tourism sector. However, it is not impossible that a cluster of tourist attractions will emerge if tourists do not heed health protocols .
Several tourism places are now reopening. In addition to turning the wheels of the economy, this opening needs to establish strict health protocols. Of course, it is hoped that the government will conduct checks on tourists and employees who work at tourist attractions after 3 to 4 days of opening. This is because the potential for transmission in tourist attractions is also very risky even though they have undergone health protocols.
If this is done, of course the government will find it easier to take action at tourist attractions, because most of the owners of tourist attractions are owned by the government. If a covid-19 case is found in this tourist spot , of course the government will immediately close it like a market.
Previously, the National Task Force updated the regional zoning data on July 5, 2020, where the data showed 104 districts and cities that are listed in the green zone or areas not affected by Covid-19. Epidemiologist from the National Task Force Expert Team, Dewi Nur Aisyah, emphasized that even though an area is categorized as a green zone, this category does not mean that the area is safe from Covid-19 transmission. Because it has a risk of transmission.
Dewi also explained that during the adaptation period for new habits, the government must carefully determine which sectors can operate first. For the new tourism sector, it is only open for natural tourism areas as well as conservation and tourism villages.
East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elistianto Dardak, has appealed to managers of tourist attractions in East Java to implement health protocols for their visitors. The location of the visit was also asked to have a Covid-19 task force. This request is based on the fact that several tourist attractions in East Java have started to receive domestic tourist visits. There are at least 100 tourism sectors and 479 tourist villages that have been opened.
Emil said health protocols such as the use of masks, the availability of hand sanitizers and hand washing stations would narrow the spread of covid-19. The implementation of this health protocol is of course very important. Moreover, the public interest who wants to travel is very high even though the Covid-19 pandemic status has not ended. Therefore, in order to facilitate the people’s desire to travel, health protocols in tourist attractions are absolutely essential.
In an effort to reduce transmission rates and minimize the possibility of new clusters in tourist attractions, the Deputy Governor of East Java will carry out a gas and brake strategy. This means that the spread of covid-19 in tourist attractions will occur, if health facilities are provided , a system like this will be a powerful strategy in minimizing and controlling the emergence of new clusters at tourist attractions.
The former Trenggalek regent, also appreciated the Mayor of Batu and the Manager of Jatim Park 3 for implementing health protocols at tourist attractions. Apart from being supported by the Covid Task Force, several equipment that supports the health protocol is also provided.
He admitted that he was amazed by the layered health protocol, including many hand washing stations that minimize the need to touch faucets.
Meanwhile, the King of Yogyakarta Palace as the Governor of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X decided to extend the emergency response period for the Covid-19 disaster until the end of August 2020. This decision was taken due to the explosion of cases in July 2020.
He also explained that 90 percent of Covid-19 cases in Jogja came from a history of travel outside the city.
On different occasions, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has prepared technical guides in the form of videos or handbooks that refer to global standards. This handbook is a more detailed derivative of the protocol just signed by the Ministry of Health so that it will be easy for the tourism sector and the creative economy to carry out their activities.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has emphasized that the health protocol in the tourism sector can be implemented properly and not rushed. So that later when the tourism sector and creative economy are opened, this sector will remain productive and safe from Covid-19.
K ita all must remain vigilant because the national pandemic status has not been revoked. So the safest step is not to travel far, if this is to be done, then health protocols must be adhered to.
) * The author is a student at Pakuan Bogor University
