Tighten Tourists’ Compliance with Health Protocols

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Security officers wear masks while patrolling the Borobudur Temple in Magelang Regency, Central Java, Friday (6/3/2020). This time, as the Covid-19 pandemic situation improves, the implementation of health protocols is still tightened in tourist attraction areas.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The government’s easing of the public activity restrictions (PPKM) in a number of regions has been followed by an increase in tourist arrivals. Regional administrations and the management of tourist spots must tighten public compliance with the health protocols in order to prevent Covid-19 transmission.

Observation in several regions on Sunday (24/10/ 2021) found visitors from other cities thronging recreational tourist destinations, such as the city of Batu in East Java and West Bandung regency, West Java. However, a number of visitors removed their face masks at these locations, reducing the convenience of other tourists, as doing so could heighten the risk of Covid-19 infection.

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Designated PPKM level 2, Batu saw a skyrocketing number of tourit arrivals. The soaring number of visitors was inseparable from the government’s relaxation measures, including allowing children under 12 to join tours.

An increased number of tourists was noticed in locations such as Jatim Park 2 and Jatim Park 3. The same was true at the flower and ornamental plants center in Sidomulyo. Batu city square was also crowded with visitors. Access routes leading to Batu were packed with vehicles from other regions like Surabaya, Gresik, Sidoarjo, Madura Island and Jember. Heavy inbound traffic was also observed from Jatim Park 3 to Batu as a result of the many restaurants along the route that were packed with visitors.

According to Titik, the number of tourists was still limited to 50 percent capacity at each venue.

Jatim Park Group marketing manager and spokeswoman Titik S. Arianto acknowledged that the number of tourists was higher compared to when Batu was designated PPKM level 3. Batu has been at level 2 since 18 Oct. According to Titik, the number of tourists was still limited to 50 percent capacity at each venue.

Selecta Recreation Park director Sujud Hariadi said that while visitors numbered a maximum total of 900 previously, it could now reach 2,000 visitors per day.

“Apart from the green light for children [to join tourism activities], swimming pools are also allowed to operate. This has brought a breath of fresh air to tourism business players. Nevertheless, the health protocols also remain a priority,” he said.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Residents having recreation in a tea garden in the Puncak area, Bogor Regency, West Java, during the Islamic New Year national holiday, Wednesday (11/8/2021).

To ensure compliance with the health protocols, Sujud said the park had an internal task force tasked with monitoring tourists. The members of the task force came from the local task force of the area where the tourist destination was located. They were tasked with watching for any noncompliance with the health protocols among visitors.

Sujud, who also chairs the Batu branch of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI), revealed that the hotel occupancy rate reached 50 percent of the permitted capacity at the weekend, an increase from 20-30 percent on workdays.

Batu Tourism Office head Arief As Siddiq said that nearly all tourist destinations in the city were operating again. They applied the health protocols and restrictions pursuant to Home Minister’s Instruction No. 53/2021 on the PPKM in Java and Bali.

Removing masks

The tourist destination of Lembang in West Bandung regency, West Java, was also crowded with visitors on Sunday (24/10). Several roads heading to the area from the city of Bandung were congested. Amid the revival of tourism, many visitors were seen removing their masks and ignoring distancing measures.

Tourist destination management were striving to prevent crowding. At The Great Asia Africa, for instance, the number of visitors was limited to a maximum 25 percent of the venue’s normal capacity. Visitors were also restricted to those who were fully vaccinated.

“Visitors are beginning to arrive from outside Bandung. They have greater confidence [in visiting tourist venues] because they are vaccinated. Their total [number] is also limited to prevent crowding,” said The Great Asia Africa general manager Wawan Gunawan.

The figure was much higher than two weekends ago, when it averaged around 700 visitors.

Milk Farm House Lembang, another tourist attraction, also an increase in the number of visitors this past weekend, totaling around 1,000 people per day. The figure was much higher than two weekends ago, when it averaged around 700 visitors.

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When asked why they had removed their masks, some visitors said they had removed their masked so they could breath freely as they explored the tourist area. Bambang, 42, a visitor from Bekasi, West Java, said he had difficulty breathing if he wore a mask too long.

“The place is full. If I continue to wear a mask, it’s hard to breathe. The important thing is to avoid crowding [after] removing the mask,” he said.

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

Tourists take photos with the background of Tanah Lot Temple in Kediri District, Tabanan Regency, Bali, Friday (15/10/2021). Unfortunately, tourists often ignore health protocols by removing masks.

To anticipate the large number of visitors flocking to Lembang, the Bandung Municipal Police and the Bandung City Transportation Office have imposed the odd-even traffic system in front of Ledeng Terminal. A line of vehicles formed up on Jl .Setiabudi as visitors started leaving Lembang on Sunday afternoon.(WER/EGI/IKI/TAM/COK/NCA)

(This article was translated by Aris Prawira).