Denpasar, The Indonesia Post – The Provincial Government (Pemprov) of Bali has prepared as many as 5,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for the implementation of booster vaccinations for tourism actors on the Island of the Gods.
“In line with the availability of vaccines and in line with the opening up of Indonesia, especially Bali, from foreign countries, we are starting to intensify the implementation of the second booster vaccination,” said Deputy Governor of Bali Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati in Denpasar, Saturday.
The Deputy Governor of Bali when reviewing the implementation of the initial booster vaccination for tourism actors in Bali said that tourism actors were the priority group.
This, he continued, is because tourism actors are in direct contact with foreign tourists.
The man who is called Cok Ace said that Indonesia, especially Bali, has been increasingly opened to foreign countries, while a number of countries do not require their citizens to vaccinate against COVID-19.
Responding to this, Bali made a number of approaches. The first approach taken is to ensure foreign tourists who come are free from exposure to COVID-19. The trick is to detect body temperature at the airport.
The second approach is to ensure that the immunity of workers in the tourism sector is well maintained to avoid exposure to COVID-19.
“We make sure that workers in the tourism sector remain healthy and fine because they are at the forefront. The method is by giving the second phase of the booster vaccine,” said the man who is also the Chair of the Bali Province Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI).
The Provincial Government of Bali for the initial stage is preparing as many as 5,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to carry out booster vaccinations for tourism players. “We are targeting the first to be 5,000 tourism actors first,” he said.
Meanwhile, the implementation of the second booster vaccination which was carried out this time which was centered at the Bali Governor’s Office Wiswasabha Building was given to 500 tourism actors.
PHRI Bali Secretary Perry Markus said that after the implementation of today’s booster vaccines, it would be continued with the implementation of vaccinations per cluster to make it closer.
“This vaccination is an effort to increase the immunity of the front liners in the tourism sector. Apart from that, health protocols are still being implemented in hotels,” he said.
Likewise with the CHSE protocol, namely Cleanliness (cleanliness), Health (health), Safety (security), and Environment Sustainability (environmental sustainability) are also still being implemented so that tourists get guarantees of being safe from exposure to COVID-19.
Head of the Bali Provincial Health Office dr. Gede Anom added, currently Bali has the availability of sufficient doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to intensify the second phase of booster administration.
“We have 50,000 doses in stock, which means it’s enough for 100,000 people. Because the booster doses are half. We’re sure the government will continue to add to the supply,” he said.
In line with the Deputy Governor of Bali, giving priority to tourism workers is based on considerations that the large number of foreign tourists coming to the Island of the Gods.
“Moreover, Chinese tourists are also starting to arrive. Meanwhile, what we know there is still COVID-19. For this reason, the step we can take is giving a second dose of booster vaccine. This is one way to increase immunity,” he said.
Just like the strategy applied to phase 1, 2 and first booster vaccinations, his party will open posts in banjars or public places.
“Currently the districts/cities have moved, we are confident we can reach the target according to the number in the first booster, which is 82 percent,” said Dr. Anom.
In addition to opening posts in banjars, the Bali Health Office is also targeting the ASN of the Bali Provincial Government, which totals 17 thousand people. The second booster vaccination for ASN Pemprov Bali is scheduled to start January 30, 2023. (mhn/bbs)
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